Legal Support for Visiting Foreign Nationals in Turkish Prisons

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At Cindemir Law Office, we offer reliable legal assistance to families and relatives of foreign nationals detained or imprisoned in Turkey. Whether your loved one is awaiting trial or serving a sentence, we help navigate the legal procedures required to obtain visitation permission from Turkish authorities.

Our international practice is built on trust, experience, and professionalism. We understand the sensitivity of prison visits and ensure every application is handled with urgency and legal precision.

🔹 Who Can Visit a Foreign Inmate in Turkey?

Under Turkish law (Regulation on the Visitation of Convicted and Detained Individuals, Article 27), foreign inmates may be visited by:

  • A legally married spouse

  • Blood relatives and in-laws up to the third degree

  • Legal guardians or custodians

  • Up to three people, designated in writing at the time of prison admission

Visits are allowed once per week, during business hours, for 30 to 60 minutes.

🔹 Application Process for Prison Visits

To visit a foreign detainee or convict, visitors must:

  • Apply to the Public Prosecutor’s Office at least 7 days in advance

  • Provide official proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate)

  • Submit a copy of passport or ID

  • Clearly state the full identity and contact information of the inmate

For individuals convicted of terror-related or organized crime charges, the request must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice at least 15 days before the visit.

📌 Note: Inmates serving aggravated life sentences are excluded from standard visitation rules.

🔹 Special Considerations for Foreign Visitors

  • Foreign nationals may be granted priority for open visits, even outside regular visitation days.

  • Dual nationals can visit either as Turkish or foreign citizens depending on the inmate’s status.

  • Individuals who have renounced Turkish citizenship are treated as foreigners for prison visitation purposes.

  • Inmates legally married to or related to another prisoner in the same facility may be granted visitation rights under special permission.

  • The relationship must be verified by the inmate prior to the visit.

🔹 Documents Required for Visiting a Foreign Prisoner

  • Valid passport or national ID

  • Document proving family or legal relationship

  • Utility bill or proof of address (if required)

  • Visitation request letter

  • Power of attorney (if acting on behalf of someone else)

🔹 How Cindemir Law Office Can Help

✅ Drafting and submitting visitation applications
✅ Communicating with Turkish prosecutors and justice authorities
✅ Translating and legalizing supporting documents
✅ Coordinating consular communication if needed
✅ Representing inmates in criminal cases or appeals
✅ Providing ongoing updates to family members abroad

We ensure that your loved one’s rights are respected and that your access is granted in full compliance with Turkish law.

📞 Contact Our International Legal Team

We assist families with prison visitation procedures across Turkey, including institutions such as Silivri, Sincan, Şakran, Maltepe, and Kandıra.