The Minister Also Announced That Six Suspects Are Still in Custody Proceedings

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that judicial investigations are ongoing into 44 forest fires that broke out in 16 provinces since June 1, 2026, reporting that 29 suspects have been identified, 6 arrested, and 9 placed under judicial control. In a statement on his social media account, Gürlek said, „29 suspects have been identified; 6 have been arrested, and judicial control measures have been imposed on 9 suspects. He stressed that no forest fire would be allowed to remain unsolved.

"Our sensitivity to solving unsolved cases is not limited to crimes against our citizens' lives, property, and peace, he said. "We carry the same sensitivity for our forests, natural assets, and the Green Homeland. Gürlek noted that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership, the Justice, Interior, and Agriculture and Forestry ministries are conducting coordinated legal tracking efforts against forest fires more systematically and effectively.

He said the ministry's newly established Department of Natural Disasters and Accidents is closely monitoring judicial processes related to forest fires, while chief public prosecutor's offices, in coordination with relevant public institutions, are meticulously evaluating all evidence to determine the causes and perpetrators of the blazes. The minister also announced that six suspects are still in custody proceedings. Explaining the investigation methods, Gürlek said: "Every incident is being examined in detail through crime scene findings, camera footage, communication records, witness testimonies, expert reports, and technical data.

The entire chain of fault and responsibility is being investigated. No forest fire with criminal suspicion will be allowed to remain unsolved. Those who intentionally set our forests on fire and those who cause fires through carelessness or negligence should know that their actions will not go unpunished.

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 heaviest manner. The Green Homeland is the common trust of our nation and the right of future generations. In the coming period, close cooperation between our chief public prosecutor's offices and law enforcement units will be maintained with determination; those who cause fires will be identified and brought to justice."