Threat Crime in Turkey While Living in Germany: Your Complete Defence Guide (2026)
This article covers Turkish law only. Doğru Kanzlei advises on Turkish law under § 207 BRAO.
What Is a Criminal Threat Under Turkish Law?
TCK Art. 106 punishes a person who threatens another person with a future unlawful attack against life, bodily integrity or sexual integrity of that person or their relatives. Threats to property or "other harm" are treated as a lighter, complaint-based category.
The defence usually starts with five questions:
Turkish Threat Law: Penalty Table 2026
| Category | Legal basis | Penalty / result |
|---|---|---|
| Simple threat to life, body or sexual integrity | TCK Art. 106/1 | 6 months - 2 years imprisonment |
| Simple threat against a woman | TCK Art. 106/1 | Minimum not less than 9 months |
| Property or other-harm threat | TCK Art. 106/1 | Upon complaint, 2 - 6 months or judicial fine |
| Weapon, concealed identity, multiple persons or organised-crime intimidation | TCK Art. 106/2 | 2 - 7 years imprisonment |
| Injury, homicide attempt or property damage committed to threaten | TCK Art. 106/3 | Additional punishment for that offence |
Important: Qualified threat is no longer a light allegation. A weapon image, anonymous account, group pressure or organised-crime reference can move the file into a much higher penalty range.
Can Turkey Prosecute a Message Sent from Germany?
Yes, in many scenarios. If the victim is in Turkey, the message is read in Turkey, the complaint is filed in Turkey, or the effect of the message occurs in Turkey, Turkish prosecutors may open an investigation. Living in Germany does not close the Turkish file.
Common diaspora scenarios include:
An Angry Message vs. a Criminal Threat: Where the Line Is
Not every aggressive message is a criminal threat. Turkish courts look at whether the words are concrete, serious, directed at a specific person and capable of creating fear. The surrounding conversation matters. A cut screenshot can make a mutual argument look one-sided.
Defence review should cover:
Threat or Extortion?
Threat and extortion are close but different. A threat aims to intimidate. Extortion adds pressure to make someone do something, not do something or provide an unlawful benefit. "Pay me or I will publish your private photos" may therefore create a TCK Art. 107 issue, not just TCK Art. 106.
Correct classification affects penalty range, settlement options and the entire defence strategy.
Settlement, HAGB and Register Risk
Simple threat cases may be eligible for Uzlaşma, the Turkish settlement mechanism. If prepared well, it can close the file without a conviction. Qualified threat cases are much more restricted, so the first battle is often the legal classification.
HAGB, sentence suspension and criminal-record consequences depend on the final sentence, prior record, harm and court discretion. For German citizenship, residence or security screening, even a Turkish file that looks small can become relevant if it appears in archive records.
Travel Risk and Default Decisions
Many people in Germany only learn of a Turkish criminal file when they travel. Summons may be sent to an old address in Turkey. A warrant or production order can appear at the airport.
Before travelling, check UYAP status, summons, hearing dates, warrant risk and whether the case can be placed under legal management by power of attorney.
Defending Yourself from Germany
A Turkish power of attorney lets your lawyer review the file, file motions, attend settlement procedures, challenge evidence and follow suitable hearings. It can be issued through the Turkish consulate or through a German notary with apostille.
Depending on the case, testimony by legal assistance, SEGBİS or representation through counsel may be considered. The safest route depends on the allegation, court stage and risk level.
Doğru Kanzlei: Turkish Threat Defence from Germany
Doğru Kanzlei focuses on Turkish law for clients in Germany. With Ankara Bar membership and § 207 BRAO registration in Karlsruhe, the Turkish file can be managed directly from Germany.
We help with:
This guide is also available in Turkish:
Türkiye'de Tehdit Suçu: Almanya'dan Savunma Rehberi
And in German:
Bedrohung in der Türkei: Strafverteidigung aus Deutschland
