Can someone verify that Turkey is issuing EASA licenses? I was under the impression that it is not part of EASA.
They are not Issuing EASA licences. Your impression is correct they are not part of EASA, so not possible to issue licences.
I assume a misunderstanding that the said pilot got a "Turkish" validation, or perhaps he did all the exams and got a Turkish Licence which was paid for by THY (Not recognised outside Turkey as EASA)!?
The only link with EASA to my knowledge, is that the Irish Authority will accept a Turkish TRE signing the Licence renewal in the Sim (the sims are EASA approved on 777, can't say about the others but I also think they are too).