Criminal Law Glossary

The killing of a person knowingly and wilfully. The basic penalty is life imprisonment.

Intentional killing committed in one of the eleven circumstances listed in the law. The penalty is aggravated life imprisonment.

Intentional killing committed against a woman. Since 2022 it has been an aggravated circumstance punishable by aggravated life imprisonment.

Death resulting from the failure to perform a required act. The judge may reduce the penalty.

Inciting, encouraging or assisting another person to commit suicide. If the suicide takes place, the penalty is 4–10 years’ imprisonment.

Causing death without foreseeing it, through conduct in breach of the duty of care and attention. The penalty is 2–6 years’ imprisonment.

Intentionally causing physical pain to another person or impairing their health. The basic penalty is 1 year 6 months to 3 years’ imprisonment.

Intentional injury that results in permanent harm, a bone fracture or death. Where death results, the penalty is 10–18 years’ imprisonment.

Armed assault is not defined as a separate offence in Turkish law; the outcome of the attack determines the offence. Firearms, explosives and cutting instruments are weapons under the law.

Frightening a person by saying that their life, body or sexual integrity will be attacked. The basic penalty is 6 months to 2 years’ imprisonment.

Unlawfully preventing a person from going to a place or from leaving a place. The press often describes it as abduction or unlawful detention.

Violating a person’s bodily integrity through sexual conduct. The basic penalty is 5–10 years’ imprisonment; if an organ or object is inserted into the body, the penalty is at least 12 years.

Sexual conduct committed against a child. The basic penalty is 8–15 years’ imprisonment; if an organ or object is inserted into the body, the penalty is at least 16 years.

Taking movable property belonging to another without the possessor’s consent. The basic penalty is 1–3 years’ imprisonment; theft from a dwelling, by opening a lock or by pickpocketing is punishable by 5–10 years.

Compelling a person by force or threat to hand over property. The basic penalty is 6–10 years’ imprisonment; robbery with a weapon, at night or in a dwelling is punishable by 10–15 years.

Deceiving a person by fraudulent conduct to obtain a benefit to their detriment. The basic penalty is 1–5 years’ imprisonment; fraud through an information system or a bank, or by posing as a public official, is punishable by 4–10 years.

Firing a weapon, starting a fire or using explosives in a way that causes fear or panic among people. The penalty is 1–5 years’ imprisonment.

Purchasing, carrying or possessing an unlicensed firearm or ammunition. The penalty is 2–4 years’ imprisonment and 100–500 day-fines.

Manufacturing, importing, exporting or selling narcotic or stimulant substances without a licence. Manufacture and import carry 20–30 years’ imprisonment; sale within the country carries at least 10 years.

Purchasing, accepting, possessing or using drugs for personal use. The penalty is 2–5 years’ imprisonment; in a first investigation, the filing of a public prosecution is deferred for 5 years.

Bringing a foreign national into the country by illegal means, or enabling a person to leave the country, for material gain. The penalty is 5–8 years’ imprisonment.

Turkish law has three types of imprisonment: aggravated life, life and fixed-term imprisonment. Fixed-term imprisonment is, as a rule, between 1 month and 20 years.

A penalty calculated by multiplying a number of days by a daily amount. The daily amount is set between 100 and 500 Turkish lira.

Beginning acts capable of committing an offence that is not completed for reasons beyond the offender’s control. The penalty is reduced; attempted killing carries 10–18 years’ imprisonment.

Committing an offence under the influence of anger or severe distress caused by an unjust act. The penalty is reduced; 12–18 years’ imprisonment is imposed instead of life imprisonment.

No penalty is imposed on a person who is compelled to repel an unjust attack immediately and proportionately.

A reduction of the penalty by the judge on discretionary grounds in the offender’s favour. 25 years’ imprisonment is imposed instead of life imprisonment; other penalties are reduced by up to one sixth.

A sentence of imprisonment of 2 years or less that is not served and is instead subject to a probation period. The limit is 3 years for people under 18 or over 65.

Committing a new offence after the judgment for an earlier offence has become final. The convicted person is subject to the enforcement regime for repeat offenders.

People under 18 who are subject to criminal proceedings for allegedly committing an act defined as an offence. Children under 12 are not punished; penalties are reduced for those aged 12–17. Since 2026 the law calls them children in judicial proceedings.

A conviction to 2 years’ imprisonment or less, or to a judicial fine, that has no legal effect during a 5-year supervision period. If the period passes without incident, the case is dismissed.

Restriction of a suspect’s or defendant’s liberty where there is strong suspicion of an offence and a ground for detention. For catalogue offences, a ground for detention may be presumed.

An agreement between the suspect and the victim reached through a mediator. If a settlement is reached, no prosecution is filed or the case is dismissed.

Offences for which the victim’s complaint is required for an investigation. The complaint must be made within 6 months of learning of the act and the offender.

Dismissal of a public prosecution after the period set by law has passed. The period ranges from 8 to 30 years depending on the maximum penalty for the offence.

Release of a convicted person, subject to a supervision period, after serving a set part of the sentence in prison with good conduct.

Protective and preventive measures for people who have experienced violence or are at risk of it. No evidence is required for an order; breaches are punished with coercive detention.