Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
Erdal Nuhbasa – Law and Consulting Firm – Legal Services
Foreign detainees in Turkey may have difficult times because of complicated legal procedures, language barriers and not knowing their rights during detention. So, having information about Turkish the detention system, rights of detainees and legal protections available to foreigners is important to avoid losing any rights.
By reading this article, you will learn about legal issues for foreign detainees in Turkey, including the right to legal representation, detention procedures, appeals and objections, consular assistance, communication rights, prison transfers, medical care, and complaint mechanisms.
If you think your relative/friend has been detained or arrested in Turkey, but you don’t know where they are or how to find out, don’t worry. This can be very confusing, especially if you are not familiar with the Turkish legal system. Turkey also does not normally share this information online.
Getting this information directly from the police may not be easy, especially if you are abroad. For this reason, contacting the consulate or getting help from a lawyer is usually a better option. It is best to rely on official sources and avoid unofficial websites that claim to provide prison information..
If a foreign detainee does not speak or understand Turkish, a sworn interpreter is provided by the Turkish authorities.
During police questioning, the interpreter makes sure the detainee understands the questions, the accusations against them, and what they are being asked to answer. The police should not take their statement without proper interpretation.
The same applies in court. A sworn interpreter is provided so the detainee can understand the hearing and respond properly.
If you want to hire a lawyer in Turkey, you can first contact a criminal lawyer and agree on the legal services.
After that, the lawyer can arrange for a notary and a sworn interpreter to visit the detainee in prison. The interpreter explains the power of attorney to the detainee, and the detainee can then give the lawyer power of attorney.
Once the power of attorney is completed, the lawyer can represent the detainee and follow the case, including court hearings, filings, and other legal procedures.
Sending money and personal items to a detainee is possible, but there are rules about what can be sent and how.
In Turkey, funds for detainees/inmates are used to buy necessities from the prison canteen. Relatives can top up this account through bank transfer, ATM or PTT money order.
You must include in the transfer detainee’s or prisoner’s full name as registered, his/her foreign ID number and the name of the prison. For example, use the “Note” field exactly as: “Name Surname, Foreign ID 123456789, Marmara E-type Prison”. Incorrect or missing details will cause the bank to reject and return the payment (after deducting transfer fees)
If you want to use an ATM, for example, Silivri Prison in Istanbul uses VakıfBank. You can deposit money through a VakıfBank ATM by selecting “Cardless Transactions” and then “Prepaid Card Deposit.” You can make the payment using the detainee’s ID number, case number, or, if you have it, their prepaid card number.
Many basic items, such as underwear, socks, toiletries and similar necessities, can be purchased from the prison canteen. Items that are sold in the canteen generally cannot be sent from outside.
Clothes and books may be accepted as gifts, but there are limits on what can be sent and when. In closed prisons, gifts can generally be sent during certain periods, such as the first week of every other month, religious holidays, New Year’s Day and the detainee’s birthday.
Yes, but you cannot simply call the prison and speak to a detainee. The phone number must first be registered with the prison.
For the registration, the detainee’s relative must submit:
NOTE: Fax and email submissions are not accepted.
2-3 days after the documents are submitted to the prison, the e-Görüş application can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. The detainee also needs money in their phone account to make calls. You can find the details of how to deposit money into the account above.
The weekly phone call allowance is 30 minutes in total, and calls are charged at 55 kuruş per minute in 2026. For detainees charged with organized crime, the phone right is limited to audio calls and 10 minutes.
Yes. A detention order in Turkey can be challenged. A lawyer can file an objection and ask the court to release the detainee.
The court may also decide to release the detainee under judicial control (adli control) instead of keeping them in prison. This may include conditions such as a travel ban, regular reporting to the authorities, or other restrictions.
For foreign detainees, there may also be a separate issue if the authorities have issued a deportation decision. This is a different legal process. You can find more information about it in the article below:
https://erdalnuhbasa.com/how-to-cancel-deportation-decision-in-turkey/
Foreign detainees can receive visits in Turkish prisons, but there are rules about who can visit and when.
Each prison has its own visiting schedule. Before going, check the prison’s visiting days and make sure you have the required passport or ID and documents showing your family relationship, if applicable.
Yes. A detainee in Turkey can be transferred to another prison for different reasons, including security, health, overcrowding, or the location of the court handling the case.
The transfer can also be requested by the detainee, but the request must be made through the proper legal process. A relative, friend, or other third party cannot make the transfer request on the detainee’s behalf.
If the detainee is transferred, their family or lawyer should check with the authorities to confirm the new prison before arranging visits, sending money, or sending items.
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