The ruling AKP submitted its 11th Judicial Package to Parliament, reviving a pandemic-era execution rule that could lead to the release of up to 115,000 inmates.
The proposal expands the “Covid leave” mechanism first introduced in 2020 and widens its scope to include those whose sentences were not finalized before July 31, 2023.
AKP Group Chair Abdullah Güler, presenting the package to Parliament on Nov. 27, said the measure should not be interpreted as a general amnesty. He noted that between 54,000 and 55,000 inmates may be released immediately, with the number potentially rising to 80,000 or even 90,000 in the coming years as more cases become eligible for early parole.
Under the proposal, inmates who committed crimes before July 31, 2023, will gain access to the same early probation and open-prison benefits that were applied during the pandemic. Crucially, the draft removes the condition that prisoners must have physically been in custody on that date, pulling into scope tens of thousands whose cases were still pending or awaiting final judgment.
The MHP, the AKP’s governing partner, publicly endorsed the expanded execution rule. MHP Deputy Chair Feti Yıldız (for more on him, see Portrait of the Week) said he expects 55,000 releases in the first wave and a total of 115,000 beneficiaries within six months.
UNDER THE RADAR
Behind the scenes, the discussions were more complicated than the package’s swift introduction suggested.
The clause concerning juvenile offenders was removed from the final draft. Although the bill originally included prison sentences for LGBT+, this was also dismissed.
There were expectations that the Covid-era flexibility would be broadened to cover terrorism offenses — a move that would have dramatically expanded the scope of early parole. Despite the broader peace process and pressure from some quarters, the government declined to take that step. People familiar with the talks said the AKP had raised concerns that such an expansion could unintentionally pave the way for the release of Gülenist convicts, something the party wants to avoid.
While the expanded execution rule drew the most public attention, the package also introduces several substantive legal changes. One of the most notable is a tougher approach toward organized-crime offenses: penalties for establishing, leading or participating in criminal organizations are increased, and sentences are further raised when children are used in the commission of such acts. Lawmakers involved in the drafting process described these provisions as among the most consequential elements of the package, independent of the Covid-related revisions.
The 11th Judicial Package also includes adjustments across civil, criminal and digital legislation, ranging from procedural changes in appeals to stricter rules on electronic verification in GSM subscriptions. The government says the broader goal is to address gaps in the execution law while strengthening judicial efficiency and public security.
The proposal will first be reviewed by parliamentary commissions before heading to the General Assembly for debate.
