Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç has announced the appointment of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Ismail Uçar to Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals. This move took many by surprise as Uçar, a known whistleblower, detailed allegations of bribery, nepotism, and irregularities within the judiciary in a letter to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK). Such revelations sent shockwaves through the system in a country where whistleblowers are typically punished.
Uçar’s promotion has triggered speculation, with some believing this could be a strategy to silence him. Remarkably, only one judge, Sidar Demiroğlu, has faced suspension based on Uçar’s allegations, while others implicated continue to hold their positions. This development has intensified concerns about the state of the rule of law in Turkey, which has notably deteriorated since the failed coup in July 2016. Over 4,000 judges and prosecutors have been dismissed since then.
The Turkish judiciary has faced heavy criticism for losing its independence under President Erdoğan’s rule. The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index recently ranked Turkey 117th out of 142 countries, indicating a significant weakening in its legal framework. The appointment of a whistleblower to the Supreme Court of Appeals has further complicated this perception.
As Uçar takes his place in the Supreme Court of Appeals,...
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