The Problem
You have been taken to a Turkish police station for questioning. You might be a suspect, or perhaps just a witness to a crime. You are sitting in an interrogation room, the officers are speaking Turkish, and they place a document in front of you to sign.
How the Law Works in Turkey
The Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure strictly outlines your rights. You have the "Right to Remain Silent" (Susma Hakkı). You are not obligated to answer any questions that might incriminate you. Most importantly, as a foreigner, the law guarantees your right to a sworn translator and your right to legal counsel (a defense attorney) before giving any official statement.
What the Tourist Should Do
State clearly that you want a lawyer and an English-speaking translator. Until they arrive, exercise your right to remain silent. Give only your basic identity information. Absolutely never sign any document, statement, or police report that is written in Turkish if you do not fluently read and understand the language.
The Risks
The biggest risk is self-incrimination due to a language barrier. If you sign a Turkish document without an official translator, you might unknowingly sign a false confession or agree to a distorted version of events. Once a statement is signed at the police station, it is extremely difficult to retract or change it in court later.
LetFix Solution
Do not face police interrogations alone. Having a lawyer present ensures that your statement is recorded accurately, the translator is doing their job correctly, and the police are following legal procedures.
