Legal Assistance for Foreign Lawyers Visiting Prisoners in Turkey

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Regulation-Based Support under Article 25 — Provided by Cindemir Law Office

Under Turkish law, foreign lawyers are permitted to visit convicted prisoners in Turkey, but only under strict legal conditions. This right is governed by Article 25 of the Regulation on Visits in Penal Institutions (T/H Ziyaret Edilmeleri Hakkında Yönetmelik) and is tied to international proceedings and legal cooperation principles.

At Cindemir Law Office, we provide full legal assistance to foreign lawyers and international law firms seeking to visit clients or gather evidence from prisoners held in Turkey. With our experience in international legal matters, extradition, ECtHR applications, and foreign criminal defense cooperation, we help ensure full compliance with Turkish regulations while facilitating lawful access to detained individuals.

Legal Framework: Article 25 of the Regulation

Foreign lawyers may be allowed to visit Turkish or foreign nationals in prison under the following conditions:

  • The visit must be related to an investigation, prosecution, or a court case pending before a foreign state or an international judicial body.

  • A power of attorney (vekâletname) must be presented.

  • If no power of attorney is available, the foreign lawyer may still visit the prisoner together with a lawyer registered with a Turkish bar association.

These conditions aim to ensure that visits are strictly tied to legitimate legal purposes and carried out under controlled legal oversight.

ECtHR Cases: Special Provisions

Turkish or foreign detainees who intend to apply or have applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are entitled to meet with a Turkish-licensed lawyer. However, to proceed with the visit:

  • The legal subject must concern the ECtHR application.

  • Translated documents related to the case must be submitted in advance to the prison administration.

How We Help as Cindemir Law Office

We assist foreign colleagues and international legal teams in navigating this regulated process, including:

  • Preparing and submitting the application to the penal institution,

  • Providing a Turkish-licensed lawyer to accompany foreign attorneys when needed,

  • Facilitating document translations and notarizations,

  • Ensuring that visits are scheduled and carried out according to prison rules,

  • Offering representation and procedural guidance before local authorities.

Whether the visit is related to human rights litigation, extradition defense, or a cross-border criminal matter, our office is fully equipped to support our international partners.