Ipek, Kenan

Born in 1959 in the city of Rize. In 1982 he graduated from the law faculty of Istanbul University. Then he worked as a prosecutor. From November 12, 1997 he worked in the Ministry of Justice. From August 26, 2008 to December 31, 2013, he served as Chief Counselor of the Ministry of Justice. On January 1, 2014, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice of Turkey ^[1] .

According to the requirements of the Turkish Constitution, a non-partisan politician who holds the position of minister is obliged at least three months before the parliamentary elections to cede his position to his deputy. Thus, Kenan Ipek on March 7, 2015, was appointed Minister of Justice, replacing Bekir Bozdag ^[2] . At the same time, from March 7 to November 24, 2015, Ipek served as chairman of the highest council of judges and prosecutors .

At the end of April 2015, the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors removed from work the judges who released the lead Samanyolu TV Hidaet Karaju, as well as 70 police officers. Those released were suspected of having links with the Gülen movement, Karaj was also accused of creating an armed terrorist organization ^[3] . Ipek claimed that the judges who had sanctioned the release of the suspects had violated the law; in addition, the detainees were accused of having links with the Gülen movement ^[4] . President Recep Erdogan supported the removal of judges, while a number of opposition representatives accused the government of violating the principle of independence of the judiciary ^[5] .

In May of the same year, the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors also suspended four judges and a prosecutor from work who participated in the investigation of a corruption scandal ^[6] .