On February 12, 2026, Turkey's parliament descended into chaos during a session meant to formalize the appointment of Akin Gurlek as the new Justice Minister. The session, which was part of a cabinet reshuffle, turned violent as opposition lawmakers clashed with members of the ruling AK Party. According to Qaumi Awaz Stories, the opposition attempted to block Gurlek's oath-taking, leading to a physical altercation where 'punches and kicks were exchanged.' The session had to be suspended for 15 minutes due to the disorder. Akin Gurlek, previously the Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul, is a controversial figure known for leading crackdowns against opposition leaders, including a high-profile case against Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who faces over 142 charges that could result in a 2000-year prison sentence. Opposition parties argue that Gurlek's appointment is politically motivated, accusing him of being a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and claiming his past judicial decisions were biased (Qaumi Awaz Stories, Aaj TV Latest).