Interior Minister of Turkey visits Esenyurt district
Yerlikaya, the Interior Minister of Turkey, visited the AK Party district organization in Esenyurt and then met with representatives from local civil society organizations, industrialists, and members of parties in the People’s Alliance at an iftar program titled “The Peace of Istanbul is the Peace of Esenyurt”, held at a hotel in the district.
During his speech at the event, Yerlikaya emphasized the government’s continued efforts in fighting crime since he took office. With only two days left until the Local Administration General Elections on March 31, he recalled the peaceful general elections held last year, stressing that they act in the best interest of the people, regardless of whether they voted or not.
Highlighting the Ministry of Interior’s commitment to law and human rights, Yerlikaya stated that since taking office on June 4, 2023, they have been relentlessly fighting against terrorist organizations, including the Kurdish separatist group PKK. He emphasized that no matter where they hide or what support they receive, the government will continue to combat terrorism both domestically and internationally.
Referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s stance on terrorism, Yerlikaya reaffirmed that the government will not tolerate organizations that threaten national security. He emphasized the importance of courage and bravery in facing challenges, stating that the Turkish government’s tradition is deeply rooted in valor and strength.
Yerlikaya also highlighted the ongoing fight against terror groups like FETÖ and ISIS, as well as against organized crime syndicates, which he refers to as “city bandits”. He shared that since June 4, they have dismantled 421 organized crime groups at the local, regional, and national levels, working in coordination with prosecutors and financial crimes investigators.
Moreover, focusing on the fight against drug crimes in Istanbul, Yerlikaya revealed that in the past 10 months, their operations led to the arrest of 52,501 drug crime suspects and the seizure of 19 tons of illegal substances. He urged citizens to report any suspicious drug-related activities through the emergency hotline 112, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in combating drug trafficking.
Yerlikaya also underlined the efforts to seize assets from criminal organizations based on reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), sharing that confiscated vehicles are allocated for use by traffic police, a practice that has received international acclaim. He encouraged support for the “City Unity” alliance, advocating for a collaborative approach to address local issues in a transparent and inclusive manner.
