Evidence Requested from Another Country in a Turkish Criminal Case: How Does the Process Work? – 2026 Updated Guide

Learn how Turkish prosecutors and courts request evidence from another country, including bank records, digital data, witness testimony, foreign documents, and international judicial assistance in 2026

Evidence Requested from Another Country in a Turkish Criminal Case: How Does the Process Work?

A Turkish criminal investigation may depend on evidence located in another country. This may include foreign bank records, company documents, telephone data, online account information, CCTV footage, medical records, witness testimony, or a foreign court judgment.

Turkish prosecutors, courts, suspects, victims, and lawyers may request international judicial assistance to obtain or preserve this evidence. The process is formal and may take time, but urgent preservation requests can help prevent data from being deleted.

What Is International Judicial Assistance?

International judicial assistance is the legal process through which Turkish authorities request another country to collect or provide evidence for a criminal investigation or trial.

The request may be based on an international agreement, bilateral treaty, reciprocity, or another applicable legal procedure. A Turkish prosecutor or court generally sends the request through the relevant central authorities.

A private lawyer usually cannot directly compel a foreign bank, platform, or public authority to produce confidential records. However, the lawyer may request that the Turkish authorities issue a formal evidence request.

What Types of Evidence Can Be Requested?

Evidence may include bank statements, payment records, company documents, invoices, contracts, customs records, telephone data, email information, social media records, IP data, cloud files, CCTV footage, medical records, foreign judgments, and witness statements.

The request should identify the evidence precisely and explain its connection with the Turkish criminal case. A broad or unclear request may be delayed or rejected.

Where digital data may be deleted, the lawyer may request urgent preservation before the full evidence procedure is completed.

Who Can Request Foreign Evidence?

The prosecutor or criminal court may issue a formal request for evidence abroad. The suspect, defendant, victim, or complainant may ask the prosecutor or court to collect specific evidence.

The lawyer should explain why the evidence is relevant, where it is located, who controls it, and how it may affect the investigation or defense.

A request should not be based only on speculation. The stronger the connection between the evidence and the alleged offense, the more likely the authority is to consider the request.

Step-by-Step Evidence Request Process

First, the lawyer identifies the foreign evidence and explains its relevance to the case. The prosecutor or court then evaluates whether the request is necessary and legally appropriate.

Second, a formal request is prepared. It may include the facts of the case, the legal provisions, the identity of the person concerned, the specific evidence requested, questions for witnesses, and any deadline.

Third, the request is translated and transmitted through the appropriate official channels. The foreign authority then applies its own legal procedure to collect the evidence.

Finally, the evidence is returned to Turkey and submitted to the prosecutor or court. The parties may review and challenge its authenticity, legality, completeness, or interpretation.

Can a Foreign Witness Testify Remotely?

A foreign witness may sometimes testify through a secure video hearing or through a formal request to the foreign judicial authority.

The request should identify the witness, explain the facts to be addressed, provide questions where appropriate, and explain why the testimony is relevant.

The foreign authority and Turkish court must approve and coordinate the procedure. An informal video call is not necessarily equivalent to formal testimony.

Can Bank and Financial Records Be Obtained?

Foreign bank and payment records may be requested through international judicial assistance. The request should identify the account, bank, transaction dates, account holder, payment references, and connection with the alleged offense.

Foreign privacy and banking rules may restrict disclosure. The requesting authority may require additional information or refuse a request that is too broad.

A victim should immediately notify their bank or payment provider while also asking the lawyer to seek formal preservation and tracing measures.

Can Digital Evidence Be Obtained from Foreign Platforms?

Social media, email, cloud, messaging, and payment platforms may hold relevant information abroad. The evidence may include account registration details, login records, IP information, messages, files, payment records, and deletion history.

The lawyer should request preservation as quickly as possible because platforms may delete or overwrite records.

Evidence obtained privately must be collected lawfully. Hacking an account, using another person’s password, or accessing restricted information may create additional criminal problems.

Translation and Authentication

Foreign documents generally require accurate translation. Depending on the procedure, they may also require certification, legalization, apostille, or another form of authentication.

The defense should compare the original document with the translated version. A translation error may change the meaning of a bank record, contract, witness statement, or foreign judgment.

The chain of custody and method of transmission may also be challenged if there are doubts about authenticity.

Can the Defense Challenge Foreign Evidence?

Yes. The suspect or defendant may challenge evidence concerning relevance, authenticity, legality, completeness, translation, chain of custody, and the method by which it was obtained.

The defense may argue that the request was too broad, that the evidence was obtained unlawfully, that the original document is missing, or that the material does not prove the alleged offense.

The court should evaluate whether the evidence can legally and reliably be used in the Turkish criminal case.

What If the Foreign Country Refuses?

A foreign country may refuse or limit a request because of privacy laws, national security, lack of dual criminality, insufficient detail, confidentiality, political concerns, or the absence of an applicable legal basis.

The Turkish prosecutor or court may revise and resend the request, use another form of international cooperation, obtain lawful alternative evidence, or proceed without the requested material.

The defense should ask whether the refusal itself affects the reliability or completeness of the prosecution’s case.

Rights of Foreign Suspects and Victims

Foreign suspects and victims may request interpretation and legal assistance. A foreign suspect should not sign a statement concerning foreign evidence without understanding it.

The victim may request preservation of evidence, submit foreign documents, identify witnesses, and seek compensation. The suspect may request exculpatory evidence and challenge material that is incomplete or unlawfully obtained.

Lawyer Fırat Fesih Kaya assists foreign nationals with international evidence requests, digital records, banking evidence, witness procedures, and criminal defense.

2026 Legal Considerations

In 2026, cross-border criminal cases may involve cloud data, cryptocurrency records, remote testimony, electronic signatures, platform metadata, international bank transfers, and electronic judicial communication.

Foreigners should act quickly when evidence is located abroad. Early legal assistance may help preserve records, prepare a precise request, obtain translations, and challenge unreliable evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Turkey request evidence from another country in a criminal case?
Yes. Turkish prosecutors and courts may request foreign evidence through international judicial assistance procedures.

What evidence can be requested abroad?
Bank records, company documents, telephone data, digital platform records, CCTV footage, medical documents, foreign judgments, and witness testimony may be requested.

Can a private lawyer obtain foreign bank records directly?
Usually not. Confidential records generally require a formal legal request or lawful voluntary production.

Can a defendant ask the court to collect evidence abroad?
Yes. The defendant may submit a reasoned request identifying the evidence, location, relevance, and likely importance.

Can a foreign witness testify by video?
A remote testimony request may be possible if approved and officially coordinated by the relevant authorities.

How long does an international evidence request take?
The duration varies according to the country, evidence type, translation, legal channel, and response of the foreign authority.

Can a foreign country refuse to provide evidence?
Yes. Privacy, national security, insufficient detail, legal restrictions, or lack of an applicable cooperation basis may lead to refusal.

Can foreign evidence be challenged in Turkey?
Yes. The parties may challenge relevance, authenticity, legality, translation, completeness, and chain of custody.

Is a foreign document valid without translation?
It may require accurate translation and, depending on the procedure, certification or authentication.

What should a foreign suspect or victim do first?
The person should identify the evidence, request urgent preservation, obtain legal advice, and avoid accessing private accounts or records unlawfully.

This article is for general informational purposes only, and we recommend consulting a lawyer about your specific circumstances to avoid any loss of rights.

Expert Legal Support for International Evidence Requests

Expert legal support is essential to avoid loss of rights. By working with a lawyer experienced in international judicial assistance, foreign evidence requests, digital records, banking evidence, remote testimony, translation, and criminal defense who serves throughout Turkey and internationally, you can protect your legal interests.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office provides professional legal support to foreign nationals in evidence-preservation requests, international cooperation, cross-border fraud investigations, foreign witness testimony, banking records, and criminal proceedings.

Call Now: +90 312 434 22 22
Mobile/WhatsApp: +90 532 769 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
Address: Mevlana Boulevard No:221, Yildirim Tower, Office No:148, 06520 Balgat, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey