Bekir Bozdag takes reins as Turkiye's new justice minister

Bozdag, 56, replaces Abdulhamit Gul, who held justice portfolio for 5 years

Bekir Bozdag takes reins as Turkiye's new justice minister

Bekir Bozdag was sworn in as Turkiye's new justice minister on Tuesday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed Bozdag as the country's new justice minister early on Saturday, in a decision published in the Official Gazette.

Bozdag, 56, replaced Abdulhamit Gul, who held the portfolio for five years.

A lawyer and politician, Bozdag is a theology graduate and holds a master's degree in history of religion.

He also has a second undergraduate degree in law.

Bozdag had served once before as justice minister from 2013 to 2017. He also held the post of deputy prime minister twice in 2011-2013 and 2017-2018.

As a lawmaker for the Justice and Development (AK) Party, he was elected head of parliament's constitutional commission in 2018.