Statutory timetable
Ordinary police custody may not exceed twenty-four hours from apprehension, excluding the time reasonably required to take the person to the nearest judge or court, which may not exceed twelve hours. In offences committed collectively, a prosecutor may extend custody in writing for up to three further days, one day at a time. These are maximum statutory periods, not an indication that custody must continue for that long.
Notification of a relative or another person identified by the detainee is to be made without delay when the person is apprehended, placed in custody or has custody extended. If the detainee is a foreign national, the consulate of the state of nationality is notified unless the person objects in writing.
Immigration detention follows a different timetable. Where a person is apprehended for a possible removal decision, the assessment and decision may not exceed forty-eight hours. A removal decision may be challenged before the administrative court within seven days of notification. Administrative detention may be challenged before the criminal judgeship of peace; the application does not itself suspend detention, and the judge is to decide within five days.
What “detained” may mean in Türkiye
“Arrested” is often used broadly in English. Turkish procedure distinguishes apprehension (yakalama), police custody (gözaltı) and pre-trial detention ordered by a judge (tutuklama). A foreign national may instead be held for immigration or entry procedures. The person’s location and procedural status determine what can be done next.
Access to a lawyer
A person deprived of liberty may ask to consult a lawyer. The practical priority is to identify the police, gendarmerie, airport or courthouse unit holding the person and to confirm whether an interview, prosecutor appearance or court hearing is expected. Whether a statement has already been taken, in which language and with whose assistance should be recorded at the outset.
Notification of family members
When a person is apprehended, placed in custody or has custody extended, notification of a relative or another person identified by them should be addressed without delay. In practice, the first useful question for the family is whether an official notification has been made and by which unit.
Consular notification for foreign nationals
For a foreign national, consular notification is a separate issue from legal representation. Record the person’s nationality, whether more than one nationality is held, and the consulate they wish to be contacted. A consular officer does not replace defence counsel, but the consulate may assist with communication and practical support.
Airport, border and immigration detention
At Istanbul Airport or another border point, first establish whether the person is in ordinary police custody, subject to a criminal investigation, held for immigration or entry procedures, or waiting for transfer to another unit. Obtain the terminal, police unit and destination of any planned transfer. Criminal and immigration tracks may run in parallel, but they are decided by different authorities under different procedures.
If the arrest is on an INTERPOL red notice
An arrest at a border or airport connected with an INTERPOL notice raises a further set of questions: what data produced the alert, whether an extradition request follows, and what domestic measure has been taken.
Information the family should gather
Before making contact, collect what is known and distinguish confirmed information from assumptions.
01
Full name as shown on the passport or identity document
02
Nationality and date of birth
03
Passport or identity number, if available
04
Last known location and time of contact
05
Police, gendarmerie, airport or courthouse unit
06
Alleged offence or stated reason, if known
07
Investigation or file number, if available
08
Whether a statement has been taken, in which language and whether a lawyer was present
How to make direct contact
If this concerns a current detention, send only the information needed to identify the person and location. Do not send extensive case material before contact has been confirmed.
This page provides general information. The applicable procedure depends on the person’s status, the investigating authority and the individual file.