What should a foreigner do if called by Turkish police or prosecutors? Learn about statements, summons, lawyers, interpreters, detention risks, right to remain silent, criminal files and what happens after questioning in Turkey.

A foreign national who is summoned by the police, gendarmerie or Public Prosecutor’s Office in Turkey should take the request seriously, but being called to give a statement does not automatically mean that the person will be arrested, detained or prosecuted.

The first issue is to determine in what capacity the foreigner is being called.

A person may be summoned as a suspect, complainant, victim, witness or person whose information is required in connection with an investigation. These procedural positions are very different and provide different rights and obligations.

If the foreign national is being questioned as a suspect, the Turkish Criminal Procedure Code No. 5271 provides important safeguards, including the right to know the allegation, the right to legal assistance, the right not to make statements concerning the accusation and, where necessary, the right to interpretation.

The prosecutor is also legally required to investigate both evidence against and in favour of the suspect and to protect the suspect’s procedural rights. This obligation remains expressly confirmed in the current 2026 criminal-procedure framework. (BASIN VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER MÜŞAVİRLİĞİ)

For a foreigner, therefore, the safest approach is usually to determine the criminal file, understand the accusation and review the available evidence before giving a detailed substantive statement whenever procedurally possible.

Why Would Turkish Police Call a Foreigner?

There are many possible reasons.

A foreign national may be connected to a complaint involving fraud, a bank transfer, a commercial dispute, an accident, a workplace incident, threatening messages, assault, a property transaction or another alleged offence.

In recent years, foreigners have also increasingly been summoned in investigations involving bank accounts, IBAN transfers, cryptocurrency, online investment fraud and payments that passed through multiple accounts.

Being connected with a transaction does not necessarily mean the foreign national committed an offence.

Police may simply need to understand why a particular payment entered the person’s account or how the foreigner knows another individual in the investigation.

What Is the Difference Between a Police Summons and a Prosecutor Summons?

Police and gendarmerie generally conduct investigative activities under the authority of the public prosecutor.

A prosecutor may also personally take a suspect’s statement.

From the foreigner’s perspective, both should be treated seriously.

A statement given at a police station can become part of the criminal investigation file. Likewise, a statement before the prosecutor can influence whether the investigation results in no prosecution, further evidence gathering, referral for judicial measures or ultimately an indictment.

A foreigner should therefore not assume that a police interview is merely an informal conversation.

How Can a Foreigner Determine Why They Were Called?

The person should try to identify the relevant Prosecutor’s Office, investigation number and alleged offence.

If the summons was made by telephone, the foreigner should verify the identity of the authority rather than providing sensitive information immediately to an unknown caller.

Fraudsters sometimes impersonate police officers, prosecutors or other public officials.

A real criminal investigation can normally be connected to an identifiable police unit or Prosecutor’s Office.

Where a lawyer is instructed, counsel may attempt to determine the procedural status and examine the investigation file to the extent legally permitted.

What If the Police Only Call by Telephone?

A telephone call should not simply be ignored.

However, the foreign national can ask which police station or investigative unit is calling, the name or identifying information of the officer where appropriate, the Prosecutor’s Office responsible for the investigation and the reason attendance is being requested.

The foreigner should not send money, passwords or banking credentials to anyone claiming to be police.

Turkish police and prosecutors do not resolve criminal investigations by instructing a suspect over the telephone to transfer personal money to a “safe government account.”

What Is an Official Summons?

Under Turkish criminal procedure, a person whose statement is required can be summoned formally.

The summons generally informs the person that attendance is required and can specify consequences of failing to attend without a valid reason.

Where a person fails to comply with a proper summons, compulsory appearance procedures may become relevant.

Therefore, simply refusing to attend because the foreign national believes the complaint is baseless can make the procedural position more difficult.

The better strategy is to respond through the proper legal process.

Can the Police Force a Foreigner to Come to the Station?

Depending on the procedural status and decisions issued in the investigation, compulsory appearance can potentially be ordered.

A person should therefore distinguish between voluntarily attending after a telephone request and being subject to a formal compulsory measure.

If officers arrive with an official decision concerning compulsory appearance or arrest, the foreign national should avoid physical resistance and instead exercise legal rights through counsel.

Does Being Summoned Mean There Is an Arrest Warrant?

No.

A summons and an arrest-related measure are different.

Many suspects are invited to give statements without any arrest or detention order.

However, the foreigner should not assume the opposite either.

If the person previously ignored summonses, is difficult to locate or another procedural reason exists, compulsory measures may potentially have been issued.

This is why determining the investigation status before attending can be valuable.

Does the Foreigner Have the Right to a Lawyer?

Yes.

A suspect or accused person has the right to receive assistance from a defence lawyer during the criminal proceedings.

CMK Article 147 requires that a suspect be informed of the right to choose defence counsel and to benefit from legal assistance during the statement or interrogation. If the person wants a lawyer and falls within the applicable appointment framework, bar-appointed counsel may be provided. (Rayp Adalet)

A foreigner should not be told:

“You can talk to a lawyer after you give your statement.”

Legal assistance is relevant before and during the statement.

Can the Lawyer Be Present During Police Questioning?

Yes.

Turkish criminal procedure protects the lawyer’s ability to be present during the suspect’s statement and provide legal assistance.

The right of defence counsel to meet with the suspect, remain present during the statement or interrogation and provide legal assistance cannot simply be prevented as a matter of ordinary procedure. (Rayp Adalet)

This is particularly important in complicated financial investigations where a poorly worded explanation can create misunderstandings concerning multiple transfers or companies.

Does the Foreigner Have a Right to Know the Accusation?

Yes.

Before a suspect’s statement is taken, the person must be informed of the allegation.

A foreign national should understand what conduct is allegedly criminal.

For example, merely being told:

“This is about a bank transfer”

may not be enough to prepare an effective defence.

The person should know whether the allegation concerns fraud, money laundering, misuse of a bank account, breach of trust or another offence.

Does a Foreigner Have the Right to Remain Silent?

A suspect has the right not to make a statement concerning the accusation.

This does not mean the foreigner should automatically remain silent in every case.

Sometimes producing a clear documentary explanation immediately can help resolve an investigation.

In other cases—particularly where the evidence has not been reviewed, multiple transactions are involved or the person does not fully understand the allegation—giving an unprepared explanation may create unnecessary risk.

The decision should therefore be made strategically.

Must the Foreigner Provide Identity Information?

The right not to incriminate oneself should not be confused with identity-identification obligations.

A person may be required to provide accurate identity information.

Foreign nationals should have their passport, foreign identification documentation or relevant immigration documentation available where requested.

Providing false identity information creates a completely different problem.

Does the Foreigner Have the Right to an Interpreter?

Yes, where the person cannot adequately understand or express themselves in Turkish.

The 2026 judicial interpreter framework continues expressly to cover suspects, defendants, victims and witnesses who cannot communicate sufficiently in Turkish during investigation or prosecution proceedings. (ADANA ADLİYESİ)

A foreign national should not agree to proceed entirely in Turkish simply because they understand conversational Turkish.

Understanding everyday conversation is different from understanding legal concepts such as intent, participation, criminal proceeds, complaint, seizure or waiver of rights.

Should a Foreigner Sign a Statement They Do Not Understand?

No.

The person should understand what has been written before signing.

If an interpreter is required, the statement should be properly interpreted.

The foreigner should also check whether the written record accurately reflects what was actually said.

If an important explanation is incomplete or incorrect, the issue should be raised before signing.

Can Police Pressure the Foreigner Into Confessing?

Statements must be based on free will.

Turkish criminal procedure prohibits methods that undermine free will, including mistreatment, coercion, threats and prohibited forms of pressure.

Statements obtained through prohibited methods cannot lawfully be treated like an ordinary voluntary statement merely because the suspect eventually signed them. Official judicial training materials also emphasize these protections under CMK Article 148. (Rayp Adalet)

What Documents Should a Foreigner Take to the Statement?

This depends on the allegation.

If the investigation concerns a bank transfer, useful documents can include bank statements, SWIFT records, contracts, invoices and messages explaining the payment.

If it concerns a company transaction, accounting records and corporate documents may be relevant.

If the allegation involves online communication, original messages, emails and related digital records may be important.

However, the foreigner should not simply carry hundreds of unorganized documents.

The evidence should correspond to the allegation and ideally be arranged chronologically.

What If the Investigation Concerns a Bank Account?

This has become increasingly common.

Suppose money obtained through online fraud entered a foreigner’s Turkish bank account.

The investigation may focus on whether the foreigner knowingly participated in the fraud or merely received a payment without understanding its origin.

The foreign national should determine:

who sent the money,

why the account was used,

whether the person knew the sender,

where the money went afterwards,

whether any commission was received,

and what communications explain the transaction.

These details can determine whether an apparently suspicious bank movement has an innocent explanation.

What If Someone Else Used the Foreigner’s IBAN?

The foreign national should explain the exact circumstances truthfully.

A common problem occurs when someone tells the foreigner:

“My account is unavailable; let the payment come to yours.”

If the funds later turn out to be fraud proceeds, authorities may investigate the account holder.

Messages showing why the person agreed to receive the money can become extremely important.

The foreigner should not delete communications or invent a new explanation after being summoned.

What If the Investigation Concerns Cryptocurrency?

The transaction history should be prepared before the statement.

Relevant evidence can include exchange histories, wallet addresses, transaction records and the bank movements used to purchase or sell the crypto assets.

P2P transactions can be particularly complicated where the person sending Turkish lira is different from the person receiving the cryptocurrency.

The foreigner should be able to explain who each counterparty was and why the transaction occurred.

Can the Foreigner Be Detained After Giving a Statement?

Potentially, depending on the investigation, but giving a statement does not automatically result in detention.

After the statement, the prosecutor may conclude that no immediate additional measure is needed.

Alternatively, the investigation may continue through additional evidence gathering.

In cases satisfying statutory requirements, the prosecutor may consider measures such as judicial control or request more serious protective measures.

The outcome depends on the alleged offence, evidence and individual circumstances.

Can the Foreigner Be Taken Before a Judge?

Potentially.

If the prosecutor believes a judicial measure is necessary, the person may be referred to the competent criminal judgeship.

The judge may then evaluate the relevant request according to Turkish criminal procedure.

A foreigner should therefore not assume that the police statement is necessarily the final procedural stage of the day.

Does Being a Foreigner Increase the Risk of Detention?

Foreign nationality alone should not establish the legal conditions for detention or another protective measure.

However, courts evaluating certain procedural risks may consider the person’s practical connections with Turkey alongside other circumstances where legally relevant.

A foreign national with an established residence, employment, family, property or business in Turkey may therefore want documentation demonstrating those connections available where relevant.

Can a Foreigner Be Subject to a Travel Restriction?

Potentially.

Judicial-control measures can include restrictions affecting international travel where the statutory requirements are satisfied.

This is particularly important for foreign professionals who travel frequently.

A foreigner should not make immediate international travel plans after a serious criminal interview without determining whether any judicial-control or other restriction has been imposed.

Can a Criminal Investigation Affect the Residence Permit?

Not automatically.

Being summoned by the police or prosecutor does not itself cancel a residence permit.

Criminal proceedings and immigration proceedings are legally distinct.

However, depending on the alleged offence and later developments, separate immigration proceedings may potentially arise.

Any residence cancellation, deportation decision or entry restriction should be examined independently.

Does a Police Summons Mean the Foreigner Will Be Deported?

No.

A police summons is not a deportation decision.

Even being formally investigated as a suspect does not mean deportation automatically occurs.

If a separate deportation decision is later issued, that decision has its own statutory grounds and judicial remedies.

Foreigners should therefore avoid confusing criminal procedure with immigration procedure.

What If the Foreigner Is Summoned as a Witness?

The procedural position is different.

A witness generally has an obligation to provide truthful testimony, subject to statutory rights concerning refusal to testify in particular situations.

A witness should therefore first confirm that they are genuinely being heard as a witness rather than as a suspect.

If questioning begins to suggest that the person’s own conduct may be criminally implicated, the procedural position deserves immediate attention.

What If the Foreigner Is Summoned as a Complainant or Victim?

Then the person is generally being asked to explain the alleged offence committed against them.

Foreign victims can provide documents, identify suspects and submit evidence.

For example, a foreign investor who transferred money to an allegedly fraudulent Turkish company may be summoned to explain how they were deceived and why the payment was made.

The chronology of the deception should be prepared carefully.

Can the Foreigner Submit Evidence in Their Favour?

Yes.

This is an important point.

The investigation is not supposed to collect only incriminating evidence. The prosecutor is expressly responsible for obtaining and preserving evidence both against and in favour of the suspect. (BASIN VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER MÜŞAVİRLİĞİ)

Therefore, contracts, bank records, messages, camera footage or other evidence supporting the foreigner’s explanation should be identified and submitted appropriately.

What If Camera Footage Could Prove the Foreigner’s Innocence?

Act quickly.

Security-camera recordings can be automatically overwritten.

If a particular hotel, workplace, shop, apartment building or street camera is likely to show where the foreigner was at the relevant time, preservation should be requested before the data disappears.

The same applies to other short-lived digital evidence.

What If the Foreigner Has Exculpatory WhatsApp Messages?

They should be preserved in their original form where possible.

Screenshots may help, but preservation of the underlying device and original communications may become important if authenticity is disputed.

The foreigner should not manipulate, edit or delete the conversation history.

Can the Police Search the Foreigner’s Phone During the Statement?

A request to review or seize a digital device involves separate criminal-procedure considerations.

The foreigner should not assume that being summoned for a statement automatically authorizes unlimited inspection of every private digital account.

Where a phone, computer or digital account becomes subject to a formal investigative measure, the legal basis and scope should be examined separately.

Should the Foreigner Give Passwords to Police?

This can raise complex procedural questions depending on the device, account, order and investigation.

A foreign national should not make an impulsive decision without understanding the legal basis of the request.

The defence should distinguish between lawful execution of an authorized investigative measure and requests exceeding that measure.

What If the Foreigner Is Outside Turkey When Summoned?

The summons should not simply be ignored.

Counsel can attempt to determine the investigation file and whether personal attendance is required.

The foreign national should also establish whether any compulsory appearance or arrest-related measure has been issued before deciding when and how to travel to Turkey.

Being abroad does not cause a Turkish criminal investigation to disappear.

Can a Lawyer Attend Instead of the Foreigner?

A lawyer can represent and assist the foreigner in many procedural matters, but where the prosecutor or police require the person’s own statement, counsel generally cannot simply substitute their own statement for the suspect’s personal questioning.

However, counsel can often obtain information, submit petitions and prepare the person before attendance.

What If the Foreigner Cannot Attend on the Requested Day?

The authority should be contacted properly rather than simply failing to appear.

Where there is a genuine reason—such as being abroad, illness or another objectively documented obstacle—the situation can be explained and appropriate procedural arrangements requested.

Ignoring the summons without explanation is usually the poorest strategy.

Should the Foreigner Contact the Complainant Before Giving a Statement?

Usually not impulsively.

Contacting the complainant after learning of a criminal investigation can be misunderstood as pressure or an attempt to influence the complaint.

Where settlement or repayment is legally relevant, it should be approached carefully.

The defence should first understand the allegation and consequences of any communication.

Should the Foreigner Return Money Before the Statement?

This depends entirely on the alleged offence.

In some offences, repayment or compensation can have legal significance.

But transferring money without understanding the allegation can also be interpreted in ways the foreigner did not intend.

Any repayment strategy should therefore be assessed together with the criminal defence.

What Happens After the Police Statement?

Several outcomes are possible.

The person may leave after the statement and the investigation may continue.

The prosecutor may request additional documents or expert examination.

Other witnesses may be interviewed.

Bank, telephone, camera or digital evidence may be collected.

Ultimately, the prosecutor may issue a decision of non-prosecution where sufficient suspicion for a criminal case is not established, or prepare an indictment where the statutory standard for prosecution is met.

What Is a Decision of Non-Prosecution?

A decision of non-prosecution—often referred to in practice as takipsizlik—means the prosecutor has decided not to bring a public criminal case under the applicable circumstances.

For a foreigner summoned as a suspect, providing clear exculpatory evidence during the investigation can therefore be extremely important.

The objective is not merely to defend the person at a future trial.

Where possible, the defence should seek to demonstrate during the investigation why a prosecution should not be initiated.

What If an Indictment Is Filed?

The matter moves into the prosecution or trial stage after the indictment is accepted by the competent court.

The person is then no longer merely an investigation-stage suspect but faces formal criminal proceedings as a defendant.

The defence strategy may then include witness evidence, expert reports, challenges to unlawfully obtained evidence and other procedural and substantive arguments.

What Foreigners Should Never Do After Receiving a Summons

A foreign national should not delete messages, destroy financial records, fabricate contracts, pressure witnesses, transfer assets merely to place them beyond investigators’ reach or make knowingly false statements.

These actions can damage a defence that may otherwise be strong.

Likewise, leaving Turkey immediately without determining whether any travel restriction or compulsory procedural measure exists can create additional complications.

The safest response is documentation and lawful procedural action.

Practical Example: Foreigner Summoned Over an IBAN Transfer

Suppose a foreign resident receives 250,000 TL from someone they do not know personally.

A friend had asked them to receive the transfer and forward it.

The foreigner forwards 240,000 TL and keeps 10,000 TL.

Months later, police call the foreigner concerning aggravated fraud.

Before giving the statement, the defence should review the sender, communication with the friend, reason given for the transaction, commission, previous similar transfers and destination of the money.

Simply saying:

“I did not know anything”

may be much weaker than providing the complete communication history showing what the foreigner was actually told.

Practical Example: Foreign Company Director Summoned

A foreign director receives company money into a personal Turkish bank account.

The transfer is later investigated as suspected misuse of company funds.

The director claims it represented reimbursement of business expenses.

The relevant evidence should include the management authorization, invoices, accounting records and corporate documents demonstrating the actual commercial basis.

Again, the goal is to provide a documentary explanation rather than an unsupported assertion.

2026 Legal Position for Foreigners Summoned in Turkey

The fundamental procedural protections remain clear in 2026.

A suspect must be informed of the allegation and of the right to legal assistance. Defence counsel can participate in the statement and interrogation process. (Rayp Adalet)

The suspect’s statement must be based on free will; prohibited pressure and coercive interrogation methods cannot lawfully be used. (Rayp Adalet)

Foreigners unable to communicate adequately in Turkish can benefit from the judicial interpreter framework applicable during investigations and prosecutions. (ADANA ADLİYESİ)

Most importantly, the public prosecutor is legally required to investigate the material truth by collecting both incriminating and exculpatory evidence and by protecting the suspect’s rights. The Ministry of Justice expressly reiterated this principle on March 21, 2026. (BASIN VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER MÜŞAVİRLİĞİ)

Accordingly, a foreign national summoned by Turkish authorities should focus on three immediate questions:

What am I accused of? What evidence exists? What evidence proves my explanation?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does being summoned by Turkish police mean I will be arrested?

No. Many people are summoned simply to give statements. Whether arrest, detention or another measure becomes relevant depends on the investigation and applicable statutory conditions.

2. Can I take a lawyer to the police station?

Yes. A suspect has the right to legal assistance during the statement procedure.

3. Can I refuse to answer questions about the accusation?

A suspect has the right not to make a statement concerning the alleged offence. Whether exercising that right is strategically appropriate depends on the case.

4. Do I have a right to an interpreter?

Yes, where you cannot adequately understand or communicate in Turkish.

5. What happens if I ignore the police summons?

Depending on the form of summons and procedural status, compulsory appearance can potentially become relevant. The summons should not simply be ignored.

6. Can I be detained after giving my statement?

Potentially, but it is not automatic. The prosecutor evaluates the evidence and applicable legal conditions.

7. Can my residence permit be cancelled because I was summoned?

Not automatically. Criminal investigation and immigration status are separate issues.

8. Should I bring evidence to the police station?

Relevant exculpatory evidence can be important, but it should be reviewed and organized according to the allegation before submission.

9. What if I am outside Turkey when I receive the summons?

The investigation should be checked and the authority informed appropriately. A lawyer can determine whether personal attendance or any compulsory measure is involved.

10. Can the investigation end without a criminal case?

Yes. If the prosecutor determines that the requirements for prosecution are not met, the investigation can end without an indictment.

Legal Support for Foreigners Summoned by Turkish Police or Prosecutors

Receiving a police or prosecutor summons in Turkey should be treated seriously, particularly where the investigation involves bank transfers, fraud, cryptocurrency, company transactions, money laundering allegations or another financial offence.

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office provides legal assistance to foreign nationals who are summoned as suspects, complainants or victims during Turkish criminal investigations, including preparation before police statements, prosecutor interviews, examination of available criminal files, submission of exculpatory evidence and challenges to related protective measures.

Where a foreign national has already received a police call, written summons or prosecutor notification, Fırat Fesih Kaya can assess the procedural position, alleged offence and available evidence before the statement is given.

Early preparation is particularly important because the first statement can become one of the most significant records in the entire investigation.

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