Turkey launches investigations into 44 forest fires across 16 provinces

Turkey's Justice Minister, Akın Gürlek, announced that judicial investigations are underway for 44 forest fires that have occurred across 16 provinces since June 1, 2026. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to protecting natural resources with the same rigor applied to crimes affecting citizens' lives and property.

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We carry the same sensitivity for our forests, our natural assets, and our Green Homeland as we do for crimes committed against the lives, property, and peace of our citizens.

As part of these investigations, 29 suspects have been identified. Of these, six have been arrested, nine are subject to judicial control measures, and six remain in custody pending further proceedings. The Ministry of Justice, in coordination with the Interior and Agriculture and Forestry Ministries, is pursuing these cases systematically.

The Directorate of Natural Disasters and Accidents within the Ministry is closely monitoring the legal processes related to forest fires. Public prosecutor's offices are meticulously evaluating all evidence, in cooperation with relevant public institutions, to determine the causes and responsible parties. Each incident is being thoroughly examined using evidence from crime scene investigations, video footage, communication records, witness testimonies, expert reports, and technical data.

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Judicial investigations are being carried out regarding 44 forest fires that occurred in 16 of our provinces since June 1, 2026. Within this scope, 29 suspects have been identified; 6 suspects have been arrested, and judicial control measures have been applied to 9 suspects. 6 suspects are in custody, and legal proceedings against them are still ongoing.

Minister Gürlek stressed that no forest fire suspected of criminal activity will remain unsolved. Those who intentionally start fires or cause them through negligence or carelessness will be held accountable. Evidence will be fully collected, perpetrators brought to justice, and the harshest penalties under the law will be applied. The ministry affirmed that prosecutors and law enforcement will continue their close collaboration to identify and prosecute those responsible for fires.

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No forest fire suspected of criminal activity will be allowed to remain unsolved. Those who intentionally burn our forests, as well as those who cause fires through carelessness or negligence, should know that their actions will not go unpunished.