Fewer Israelis travel to Turkey today than in the past, but anyone who is there, or whose activities reach there, may meet an enforcement system that moves quickly and is not always transparent. Over the past year there have been reports of Israelis arrested in Turkey on suspicion of espionage, and of a large fraud and forex affair in which the Turkish authorities attributed involvement to Israelis. This page explains what happens after an arrest in Turkey, how to approach allegations that originate there, and when there is reason to be concerned about an extradition request.
Representing Israelis in cases connected with Turkey
I have practised criminal law, extradition and international crime since 1998, and I serve as Chairman of the Extradition and International Crime Committee of the Israel Bar Association. When proceedings take place in Turkey, representation in court is by a Turkish lawyer. Our firm runs the strategy, the relationship with the client and the family, and the Israeli and international side of the case.
The forex and fraud affair in Turkey
In this affair the Turkish authorities raided dozens of sales centres and seized accounts, assets and crypto wallets. Writing about it in the Israeli outlet Posta, I said that no allegation should be accepted as established fact when the information comes almost entirely from the authorities and from media outlets identified with them. As far as Israelis were concerned, the picture was partial: most names were not published and no evidence was presented. Later, according to a report in ynet, it emerged that eight of the nine suspects described as Israelis were in fact local Jews.
The practical conclusion for Israelis who worked in the sector in the past, or whose names came up in the affair, is not to rush to respond in the media, not to travel to a third country without first checking their position, and to build a line of defence before any formal approach arrives.
Can Turkey seek the extradition of Israelis?
Turkey and Israel are both parties to the European Convention on Extradition, so Turkey can ask Israel, or another country, to extradite an Israeli. Such a request is examined by a court, and in the requested country it can be opposed, among other grounds because of a risk of an unfair trial or of poor conditions of detention. According to the ynet report, the supreme court in Romania refused to extradite three Israelis to Turkey because of concerns about antisemitism and about prison conditions. In Israel itself, such a request is heard by the Jerusalem District Court under the Extradition Law of 1954.
The other direction should be kept in mind too. Under Article 38 of its Constitution, Turkey does not extradite its own nationals. And a European passport, a Portuguese one for example, does not protect against extradition to Turkey or against arrest on an INTERPOL notice.
What happens after an arrest in Turkey
Under Turkish law, a detained person must usually be brought before a judge within 24 hours, and for offences committed jointly the period can extend to four days. Questioning takes place during this period, so it matters to insist on a lawyer and an interpreter, not to sign any document in Turkish without a full translation, and to ask that the Israeli mission be informed. In cases with a public profile, what is said under questioning may also reach the media.
What our representation covers
- Urgent review of the allegations, the detention and reports in the Turkish media
- Working with a Turkish criminal lawyer in the proceedings there
- Representation against extradition requests to Turkey, in Israel and in third countries
- Review of INTERPOL notices and applications for their deletion where there are grounds
- Coordination with parallel proceedings in Israel in forex, fraud and money laundering cases
- Advice before travel for anyone whose name came up in the affair
Why early action matters
In cases connected with Turkey, the first response, whether under questioning or in the media, affects everything that follows. If a family member has been arrested, or your name has come up in the affair, take advice before any step. We can be reached 24/7 on +972-3-6969080. For arrests in the Turkish-controlled north of the island, see our page on criminal defence in Cyprus.
Frequently asked questions
Can Turkey request the extradition of an Israeli?
Yes. Both countries are parties to the European Convention on Extradition. The request is examined by a court in the country where the wanted person is, and it can be opposed, for example because of a risk of an unfair trial or poor conditions of detention.
My name came up in the forex affair in Turkey. What should I do?
Do not rush to respond in the media, and do not travel to a third country before checking whether there is a warrant or an INTERPOL notice against you. Build a line of defence before any formal approach arrives.
How soon is a detainee brought before a judge in Turkey?
Usually within 24 hours, and up to four days for offences committed jointly.
Does a European passport protect against extradition to Turkey?
No. A passport from another country does not give immunity from extradition to Turkey or from arrest on an INTERPOL notice.
Can an Israeli lawyer represent me in a Turkish court?
No. Representation is by a Turkish lawyer. We run the strategy and the Israeli and international side of the case.
Official legal sources
- European Convention on Extradition, 1957
- Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, Article 38 (official English translation)
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice based on the facts of a particular case. A Hebrew version of this page is available at עורך דין פלילי בטורקיה.
