In a statement on his social media account, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said that the sensitivity shown in solving unsolved cases is not limited to crimes against citizens' lives, property, and peace, but that the same determination is also shown for forests, natural assets, and the 'Green Homeland'.
Minister Gürlek stated that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and in coordination with the Justice, Interior, and Agriculture and Forestry ministries, judicial follow-up efforts regarding forest fires are being carried out systematically and effectively.
The statement noted that the Department of Natural Disasters and Accidents, established within the ministry, closely follows the judicial processes regarding forest fires, and that chief public prosecutors' offices, in coordination with relevant public institutions, meticulously evaluate all evidence to determine the causes and those responsible for the fires.
6 ARRESTED Minister Gürlek said, "Judicial investigations are being conducted into 44 forest fires that have occurred in 16 provinces since June 1, 2026. In this context, 29 suspects have been identified; 6 suspects have been arrested, and 9 suspects have been placed under judicial control measures. Six suspects are in custody and judicial proceedings against them are still ongoing."
Minister Gürlek emphasized that the fires are being examined in detail based on crime scene investigation findings, camera footage, communication records, witness statements, expert reports, and technical data, and that the chain of fault and responsibility is being investigated in all its aspects.
In his statement, Minister Gürlek said, "No forest fire with criminal suspicion will be allowed to remain unsolved. Those who deliberately set our forests on fire, as well as those who cause fires through carelessness or negligence, should know that they will not get away with it.
Evidence will be collected in full, those responsible will be brought to justice, and the measures and sanctions prescribed by our laws will be applied in the severest manner," he added.
Pointing out that the Green Homeland is the nation's common trust and the right of future generations, Gürlek said that coordination between chief prosecutors' offices and law enforcement units will continue with determination, and that those responsible for the fires will be identified and brought to justice.
