Detention and Arrest
Urgent representation at police stations, airports, prosecutor interviews and custody proceedings, including objections to detention and arrest measures.
Detained, arrested or called to give a statement in Turkey?
Do not provide a detailed statement or sign documents you do not fully understand before receiving legal advice. Contact a criminal lawyer as early as possible.
Criminal Defence and Victim Representation
Early legal intervention can determine the direction of a criminal case
Criminal investigations in Turkey may begin with a complaint, a police report, banking records, digital evidence, an airport control or an allegation arising from a commercial or property transaction. Foreign nationals may face additional difficulties because of language, unfamiliar procedure and limited access to documents.
Alfa Law represents suspects, defendants, complainants and victims. We review the allegation, preserve evidence, challenge unlawful measures, prepare statements and submissions, attend interviews and hearings, and develop a defence or prosecution strategy based on the client’s legal position.
In fraud and financial-crime matters, criminal proceedings may need to be coordinated with civil claims, precautionary measures, enforcement proceedings and asset-recovery work. Our approach considers the complete legal picture rather than treating the criminal file in isolation.
Our Criminal Law Services
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Defence, complaint and asset-recovery support
Alfa Law assists foreign nationals, investors, company managers and victims in criminal investigations and proceedings throughout Turkey.
Investigation Defence
File review, statement preparation, evidence submissions, objections and strategic intervention before an indictment is issued.
Criminal Trial Defence
Representation before criminal courts, witness and expert-evidence review, hearing advocacy, written defence and appeal preparation.
Fraud and Aggravated Fraud
Defence and victim representation in investment fraud, real estate fraud, commercial deception and aggravated fraud allegations.
Financial Crime
Cases involving money laundering allegations, misuse of bank accounts, suspicious transfers, tax-related offences and financial records.
Crypto and Cybercrime
Crypto fraud, account misuse, phishing, digital theft, online scams, unauthorised transfers and cybercrime-related defence.
Criminal Complaints
Drafting and filing complaints before the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with evidence organisation and legal classification of the alleged conduct.
Appeals
Regional appellate and Court of Cassation applications, procedural objections, sentence review and available extraordinary remedies.
Asset Recovery
Coordination of criminal complaints with civil proceedings, precautionary attachment, compensation claims and recovery strategies.
Why Choose Alfa Law
Clear, strategic representation in high-pressure criminal matters
Criminal proceedings require fast decisions, careful evidence management and precise procedural action. Alfa Law provides direct, understandable legal advice to clients who may be unfamiliar with the Turkish criminal justice system.
- English-language representation for foreign clients
- Rapid response in detention and arrest matters
- Defence from investigation through appeal
- Victim representation and criminal complaints
- Experience with fraud and investment-related cases
- Coordination of criminal and civil legal strategies
- Confidential and evidence-focused case management
Rights of Foreign Nationals
What to do when you are detained or questioned in Turkey
A foreign national should understand the allegation, the procedural status and the content of any document before making a statement or signing it. Interpretation and legal-assistance rights are particularly important where the person does not speak Turkish fluently.
- Ask for a lawyer before giving a substantive statement
- Request an interpreter if you do not fully understand Turkish
- Do not sign a record you cannot accurately read or understand
- Ask to be informed of the allegation and your procedural status
- Preserve messages, contracts, receipts and transaction records
- Avoid deleting or altering digital evidence
- Inform your lawyer about medical needs and travel restrictions
- Request consular notification where appropriate
The correct action depends on the facts and stage of the case. General information should not replace advice based on the actual investigation file.
Our Working Process
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A structured criminal defence strategy
Immediate Assessment
We identify the allegation, procedural stage, urgent risks and available documents.
Evidence Review
We review statements, records, digital evidence, financial data and witness material.
Case Strategy
We determine the defence, complaint, release, evidence and procedural application strategy.
Representation
We attend proceedings, file submissions, challenge adverse measures and pursue appeals.
Criminal law services for foreign nationals and investors
Alfa Law provides criminal law services in Turkey for foreign nationals, investors, company managers, suspects, defendants and victims. Our practice includes urgent detention representation, investigation defence, criminal complaints, trial advocacy, appeals, fraud cases, financial crime and asset-recovery strategy.
Criminal allegations may arise from private disputes, business activities, property transactions, bank transfers, crypto transactions or claims made by another party. The existence of a complaint does not establish guilt, but the early stages of an investigation can materially affect the final outcome.
Criminal investigations and procedure in Turkey
Criminal investigations are generally conducted under the supervision of the public prosecutor. Police and other law-enforcement authorities may collect statements and evidence, while courts decide on certain protective measures such as arrest.
Legal strategy may involve challenging the classification of the alleged offence, demonstrating the civil or commercial nature of the dispute, submitting exculpatory evidence, seeking release or contesting procedural irregularities.
Fraud and investment-related criminal cases
Foreign investors may become victims of real estate fraud, false investment schemes, forged documents, rental-guarantee scams or misuse of entrusted funds. Conversely, investors and business owners may also become suspects when a failed commercial transaction is presented as criminal fraud.
Alfa Law analyses the transaction history, communications, payment records, contractual documents and intention of the parties. Where the client is a victim, we may coordinate the criminal complaint with asset-preservation and compensation steps.
Detention and arrest of foreign nationals
Detention at an airport, police station or during an investigation requires urgent legal review. A lawyer can obtain information about the allegation, attend the statement process, request access to available records and challenge detention or arrest where the legal conditions are not satisfied.
Filing a criminal complaint in Turkey
A criminal complaint should clearly explain the facts, evidence, parties and alleged offence. In financial and commercial matters, the complaint must distinguish criminal conduct from a contractual or civil dispute. Poorly organised complaints may cause relevant evidence to be overlooked or the matter to be misunderstood.
Criminal lawyer in Antalya
Alfa Law assists clients in Antalya and throughout Turkey. Our criminal law practice includes urgent representation, fraud and investment cases, defence of foreign nationals, victim complaints, court proceedings and appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal law in Turkey: common questions
Ask for a lawyer and an interpreter if needed. Do not sign documents or provide a detailed statement that you do not fully understand. Preserve relevant evidence and give your lawyer complete information.
Yes. Alfa Law provides English-language criminal defence and victim representation for foreign nationals in investigations, hearings and appeals in Turkey.
A criminal complaint can be filed with the competent prosecutor or law-enforcement authority. The complaint should be supported by organised evidence such as contracts, payment records, communications and identity information.
A failed transaction is not automatically a crime. However, allegations of deception, forged documents, misuse of entrusted assets or fraudulent intent may trigger a criminal investigation. The facts and evidence require careful legal analysis.
Criminal proceedings may support asset preservation and recovery, but civil, enforcement or compensation proceedings may also be required. The strategy depends on the offence, assets and available evidence.
Many criminal decisions can be challenged through the applicable appeal procedure, subject to statutory conditions and deadlines. The judgment and case file should be reviewed promptly.
Facing a Criminal Matter in Turkey?
Obtain legal advice before taking the next procedural step
Contact Alfa Law for urgent defence, investigation support, criminal complaints, fraud cases, trial representation or appeals.
Related Practice Areas
Other Alfa Law legal services
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For your legal processes and questions, call us now.
CONTACT US
- +90 535 251 6818
- info@alfalawfirm.com
- Güzeloba Mah. Rauf Denktaş Cad. No: 56/102 Muratpaşa Antalya
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