Foreign nationals who are taken into police custody in Türkiye are subject to the same fundamental procedural safeguards as Turkish citizens under the Criminal Procedure Code and international human rights conventions.

From the moment of detention, the individual has the right to consult with a lawyer. This right applies before and during the taking of statements and cannot be restricted except under conditions expressly provided by law.

For foreign nationals who do not speak Turkish, the authorities are required to provide an interpreter to ensure that the person fully understands the allegations and the legal process. Any statement taken without proper linguistic assistance may raise concerns regarding procedural fairness.

In addition, foreign nationals have the right to request that their embassy or consulate be informed of their detention. This safeguard aims to ensure diplomatic notification and access to consular assistance when necessary.

In practice, police custody procedures in Istanbul are carried out at district-level police departments, including Kadıköy, Ataşehir, Kartal, Maltepe and Ümraniye on the Asian Side of the city. The legal framework governing detention applies uniformly across these districts.

Legal representation during police custody primarily serves to safeguard fundamental rights, including the right to remain silent, protection against unlawful pressure, and the right to be informed of the nature of the accusations.

This general information is intended to explain the legal guarantees applicable to foreign nationals in police custody in Istanbul and does not constitute legal advice. Each case must be assessed individually according to its specific circumstances.