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Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said judicial investigations are being conducted into 44 forest fires that have occurred in 16 provinces since June 1, with six of 29 identified suspects arrested.
In a post on X, Gurlek said efforts to clarify unsolved incidents are not limited to crimes committed against citizens' lives, property and public peace, adding that the same sensitivity applies to forests, natural assets and what officials call the "green homeland."
Gurlek said judicial follow-up work on forest fires is being carried out in a more systematic and effective manner under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and through coordination between the Justice, Interior, and Agriculture and Forestry ministries.
He said the Department of Natural Disasters and Accidents, established within the Justice Ministry, closely and regularly monitors judicial processes related to forest fires.
Gurlek said chief public prosecutor's offices, in coordination with relevant public institutions, are meticulously evaluating all evidence to determine the causes of the fires and identify those responsible.
"Within this framework, judicial investigations are being conducted into 44 forest fires that have occurred in 16 of our provinces since June 1, 2026," Gurlek said.
"Within this scope, 29 suspects have been identified, six suspects have been arrested, and judicial control measures have been applied to nine suspects. Six suspects are in custody, and judicial proceedings against them are still continuing," he added.
Gurlek said each incident is being examined in detail through crime scene investigation findings, camera footage, communication records, witness statements, expert reports and technical data.
"The entire chain of fault and responsibility for the fires is being investigated," he said.
"No forest fire involving suspicion of a crime will be allowed to remain unsolved," he added.
Gurlek warned that those who deliberately set forests on fire, as well as those who cause fires through carelessness or negligence, would face legal consequences.
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"Evidence will be collected completely, those responsible will be brought before justice, and the measures and sanctions prescribed by our laws will be applied in the harshest manner," he said.
"Our green homeland is the common trust of our nation and the right of our future generations," Gurlek added.
He said close cooperation between chief public prosecutor's offices and law enforcement units would continue and that those responsible for causing fires would be identified and brought before justice.
Wildfires sweeping across the Mediterranean have killed firefighters, forced large-scale evacuations and disrupted transport, health services and critical infrastructure in Greece, Spain, France, Portugal and Türkiye.
Extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds have helped the flames spread rapidly, while emergency crews across the region continue working to bring multiple fire fronts under control.
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