Turkish Criminal Lawyer
Legal Defense for Foreign Nationals in Turkey
Every person on Turkish soil is subject to Turkish criminal law. For foreign nationals — whether detained, under investigation, or victimized — the procedural windows that matter most open and close within hours. This practice exists for exactly those situations.
Licensed 2016
Criminal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Nationals in Turkey
Turkish criminal law — governed by the Turkish Penal Code (Law No. 5237) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Law No. 5271) — applies to all persons within Turkish territory without exception, regardless of citizenship or residency status.
The foundational principle is territoriality: any offense committed on Turkish soil falls under Turkish criminal jurisdiction. Under Articles 8 and 11 of the TPC, Turkey also asserts jurisdiction over specific offenses committed abroad where Turkish citizens, state interests, or international treaty obligations are involved.
Upon detention or formal questioning as a suspect, foreign nationals hold specific procedural rights under Turkish law and under Article 90 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations — but those rights must be actively invoked. They are not applied automatically. For a full reference to the applicable statutory framework, see the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code overview.
TPC applies to all offenses on Turkish soil regardless of the nationality of suspect or victim. Jurisdiction attaches from the moment of the offense.
Attaches from suspect status. Must be affirmatively invoked — not automatic. Statements given before counsel is engaged carry full evidentiary weight.
Detained foreign nationals have the right to consular notification under the Vienna Convention. This right must be explicitly requested — it does not happen automatically.
Applies from initial police contact upon suspect status. Legal counsel may be present during all stages of police questioning under Turkish law.
Criminal Matters Handled
The categories below represent criminal law matters most frequently encountered by foreign nationals in Turkey — with the applicable Turkish Penal Code provisions.
Fraud & Financial Crimes
Fraud (dolandırıcılık) under TPC Arts. 157–158. Basic offense carries up to 5 years. Aggravated forms — investment fraud, banking fraud, fraud via digital means — carry 3–10 years under Art. 158. Foreign nationals appear both as suspects and as victims. See also: Fraud Under Turkish Law.
Real Estate & Title Deed Fraud
Forgery of title deed documentation (resmi belgede sahtecilik), fraudulent transfers, sales of encumbered property. Criminal and civil proceedings run in parallel — each requiring a separate legal strategy. Related: Real Estate Law.
Cybercrime
Unauthorized system access (Art. 243), data interference (Art. 244), digital asset fraud. Turkish prosecutors apply jurisdiction expansively where Turkish victims or registered entities are involved — including in cross-border cases.
Immigration-Related Offenses
Overstay is administrative under Law No. 6458 — until it is not. Document fraud, re-entry after deportation, or overstay combined with other offenses crosses into criminal territory under TPC Arts. 204–212. See: Immigration Law.
Corporate Criminal Liability
Turkish law attaches criminal liability to individuals, not entities directly. Foreign nationals serving as directors or authorized signatories carry personal exposure for tax offenses, financial statement manipulation, and unauthorized operations. Related: Corporate Law.
Escrow & Transaction Fraud
Misuse of escrow structures in property transactions may constitute fraud (Arts. 157–158), forgery (Art. 204), or misappropriation of entrusted assets (güveni kötüye kullanma) under Art. 155. See: Escrow in Turkey.
Criminal Law Services for Foreign Nationals
Structured service coverage across the full lifecycle of a criminal matter — from initial investigation through final appeal.
Criminal Fraud & Victim Representation
Representation in fraud cases involving real estate scams, Ponzi-like schemes, forged documents, and online fraud. Covers both criminal complaint filing and civil compensation proceedings running in parallel.
Scammed in Turkey →Corporate & Financial Crimes
Defense and advisory services in cases of embezzlement, forgery, money laundering, and breach of trust. Covers both individual exposure of directors and institutional-level investigations involving Turkish-registered entities.
Corporate Law →Real Estate Fraud & Investment Disputes
Protection for international investors facing fraudulent contracts, undisclosed encumbrances, and deceptive developers. Criminal complaint track combined with civil asset protection measures where applicable.
Real Estate Law →Civil Compensation Linked to Fraud
Damage recovery pursued through both criminal proceedings and parallel civil lawsuits. Where a criminal complaint is filed, civil compensation claims are coordinated to maximize recovery for the victim.
Fraud Under Turkish Law →Immigration & Citizenship Cases with Criminal Elements
Legal advisory on immigration matters complicated by allegations of fraud, false documentation, or compliance issues. Covers both the immigration track under Law No. 6458 and any intersecting criminal exposure.
Immigration Law →Inheritance & Cross-Border Disputes
Representation for heirs facing fraud, forgery, or misappropriation of estate assets in Turkey. Covers criminal complaint filing and coordination with cross-border civil proceedings where international succession is involved.
Criminal Litigation →How Turkish Criminal Procedure Works
Turkish criminal proceedings divide into two phases: investigation (soruşturma) and prosecution (kovuşturma). Which phase a matter is in determines the available procedural tools and the realistic timeline.
For foreign nationals, the most consequential decisions arise long before any court hearing is scheduled — in the earliest hours of the investigation phase.
Criminal Litigation Overview →Conducted by the public prosecutor. A person may be questioned as a witness (tanık) or suspect (şüpheli). A suspect may refuse to answer and may have counsel present. Establishing your status before any police contact is the first essential step.
CMK · TPCUp to 24 hours without a court order, extendable to 48 hours by the prosecutor. After this window, the prosecutor must release or apply for a formal remand order. Remand orders are immediately contestable by defense counsel.
CMK Art. 91–100May be imposed from investigation onward. Once recorded in border control systems, departure by any route is blocked until a judicial order lifts it. Cannot be detected without a legal query — verify before any planned departure from Turkey.
CMK Art. 109If sufficient evidence exists, an indictment is filed. Cases proceed to the Criminal Court of First Instance (Asliye Ceza) or the Serious Felony Court (Ağır Ceza) for offenses carrying more than 10 years.
CMK · Court StructureFirst-instance verdicts are appealable to the Regional Courts of Justice for review of both facts and law. Further cassation review is available before the Court of Cassation. All appellate deadlines are mandatory and non-extendable.
CMK Art. 272–307Why the First Hours Determine the Case
Turkish criminal procedure contains procedural windows that close quickly and cannot be reopened. The decisions made — or not made — in the first hours of an investigation carry consequences that persist through the entire proceeding.
Most foreign nationals are unaware that the right to silence must be affirmatively invoked, that detention challenges have a narrow window, and that certain evidentiary objections are only available before an indictment is filed.
Statements given to police without counsel present carry full evidentiary weight under Turkish law. Answering questions without understanding your procedural status may provide information later used in prosecution.
The remand order issued by a criminal court judge is immediately contestable. The strongest legal arguments are available when counsel was engaged before the hearing — not after the order is already confirmed.
Before an indictment is filed, it is possible to challenge evidence obtained in searches, object to the scope of investigation, and engage with the prosecution on the factual record. These opportunities exist only in the investigation phase.
Baris Erkan Celebi
Attorney at Law · Antalya Bar No. 6134Baris Erkan Celebi exclusively represents foreign nationals and international companies. Consultations and all client communications are conducted in English at a professional level — without reliance on third-party interpreters. This eliminates the communication latency that characterizes translation-dependent representation, particularly at legally critical moments such as police questioning or detention hearings.
In criminal matters, the practice handles defense representation at investigation and prosecution stage, criminal complaint filing on behalf of foreign victims, proceedings before Criminal Courts of First Instance and Serious Felony Courts, and appeals before the Regional Courts of Justice and the Court of Cassation.
Governments from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Norway, and Belgium frequently refer their citizens when legal representation is required in Turkey. The practice also maintains membership in the TEN-Law European Network, enabling coordination with counsel in other jurisdictions where cross-border matters require it.
- 2011American Robert College — Merit Scholarship Graduate
- 2014Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Law — Exchange Program
- 2015Istanbul University, Faculty of Law — LL.B.
- 2016Antalya Bar Association — Admitted, License No. 6134
- 2019Founded Celebi Legal — Internationally Oriented Practice
- 2020Bahçeşehir University — Master's Thesis Completed
- 2020Authored: Defect in Yacht-Building Contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign national be detained in Turkey without being formally charged?
Yes. Detention during the investigation phase is lawful before any indictment. Initial detention: 24 hours, extendable to 48 hours by the prosecutor. After that, release or a formal remand order from the criminal court judge is required. Detention beyond the statutory window without a court order is unlawful and immediately challengeable.
What happens if I am detained at a Turkish border or airport?
All procedural rights described on this page apply immediately from detention. Two steps are most consequential in the first hours: contacting legal counsel and requesting consular notification. Time is critical. See also: Arrested in Turkey.
How do I hire a Turkish criminal lawyer?
A criminal lawyer in Turkey is engaged by agreeing on a fee for specific legal services. While verbal agreements are legally valid, a written retainer is strongly recommended. Authorization to represent is formalized via a notarized power of attorney (PoA). If you are abroad, this can be executed at the nearest Turkish consulate.
Can I leave Turkey if I am under criminal investigation?
Not necessarily. A travel ban can be imposed at any point from investigation onward and blocks departure by all routes once recorded in border systems. Verify through legal counsel before any planned departure from Turkey.
What is the difference between a suspect (şüpheli) and an accused (sanık)?
During investigation, a person under suspicion is a şüpheli. Once an indictment is filed, they become a sanık. The right to counsel and the right to silence both attach from suspect status. Full reference: Criminal Procedure Code.
What is the statute of limitations for criminal offenses in Turkey?
Under TPC Arts. 66–72: offenses with a maximum up to 5 years carry an 8-year limitation; 5–20 year maximum carries 15 years; most serious offenses carry 20 years. Crimes against humanity and specific sexual offenses against minors carry no limitation period.
Contact
For case-specific advice, an appointment is required. Quick links below.
•Appointment required
