What is the Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code?
Asked by: Hiram McCullough PhD | Last update: June 12, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (13 votes)
Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) criminalizes "insulting the President of Turkey," a law widely criticized for stifling free speech and used to prosecute journalists, politicians, and citizens for critical or satirical comments, carrying prison sentences and facing condemnation from human rights bodies like the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for violating freedom of expression.
What is the Article 299 of the Criminal Code?
Any identification, warrant, probable cause to arrest, or arrest based upon a data bank or database match is not invalidated due to a failure to expunge or a delay in expunging records.
What happens if you get caught shoplifting in Turkey?
According to Art. 141/1 which regulates the simple form of theft crime: “Those who take a movable property from its place without the consent of the possessor to provide benefit to himself or someone else are sentenced to one to three years imprisonment.”
Is it illegal to record someone in Turkey?
Offensive Surveillance & Recording Without Consent
Unlawful surveillance in Turkey may include secret camera, monitoring, or location tracking without consent—violations subject to criminal prosecution.
Is cursing illegal in Turkey?
Türkiye has strict laws protecting personal honor and dignity. Under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), public insults, humiliation, or offensive remarks based on religion, nationality, or personal characteristics can lead to administrative penalties or criminal charges.
Article 299
What is the most common crime in Turkey?
According to 2020 data, Dr. Berat Dağ noted that the most frequently committed crimes in Türkiye were intentional injury (40,445 convicts) and theft (39,279 convicts). He added: “The 2020 data reveal that nearly 8,500 young people aged 15–17 entered prison due to theft, assault, and drug-related crimes.”
What is the hardest word to say in Turkish?
- elektrik. (n) electricity. Haydi düğmeleri kapatarak elektrik tasarrufu yapalım. ...
- şoför. (n) driver. Otobüs şöförü ...
- meşgul. (a) busy. Her zaman seni aradığımda meşgul sinyali alıyorum. ...
- Japonya. (n) Japan. Japonya Başbakanı ...
- eczane. (n) pharmacy. Eczacı eczanede çalışıyor. ...
- şemsiye. (n) umbrella. ...
- memnun. (a) satisfied. ...
- Yayla. (n) plateau.
Can you kiss openly in Turkey?
Public Displays of Affection
Kissing or hugging in public is frowned upon, especially: in rural areas, near mosques, on public transport.
Can you show cleavage in Turkey?
I recommend dressing more formally when traveling there, with shoulders and knees covered, a high neckline (no cleavage please), and no transparent or form-hugging clothing. You'll show respect and get more respect in return. Female travellers do not need to cover their hair unless visiting a mosque.
What is the law 3713 in Turkey?
The State shall take necessary protective measures for officials involved in fighting terrorism or anarchy and officials of the judiciary, intelligence, administration and military who carry out such duties, police chiefs and officers, the Director-General and deputy Director-General for Prisons and Detention Centres, ...
Is adultery illegal in Turkey?
In Turkey, adultery laws were held to be invalid in 1996/1998 because the law was deemed discriminatory as it differentiated between women and men.
What to avoid doing in Turkey?
Don't make any derogatory comments about the Turkish Flag, or Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish Republic's Founding Father or in fact anything else about Turkey. It is obviously impolite and disrespectful! Don't stand with your hands on your hips or in your pockets. Don't point at someone with your finger.
Is Turkey safer than the USA?
Statistically, you are 7-9 times safer in Turkey over the US. Compared to Turkey, violent crime is 78% worse in the US, with total crimes (per 1000 people) being 9X worse in the US over Turkey.
What is the punishment for 299?
—Whoever commits culpable homicide not amounting to murder shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, if the act by which the death is caused is done with the intention of causing death, or of causing ...
What is the Turkish Penal Code 299?
Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code is a lèse-majesté law that deems it illegal to "Insult the President of Turkey".
What is the 299 evidence?
If it is proved that an accused person has absconded, and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the Court competent to try or commit for trial such person for the offence complained of, may, in his absence, examine the witnesses (if any) produced on behalf of the prosecution, and record their ...
Is nudism allowed in Turkey?
Patara Beach - Turkey
Patara Beach has become an unofficial nudist beach over the years due to its sheer length and remoteness. It extends for 18 kilometres, so there are many huge and discreet sections that are often filled with nudists.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for outfits?
The 3-3-3 clothing rule, popularized on TikTok, is a minimalist styling challenge where you pick 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes to mix and match for numerous outfit combinations, creating a mini-capsule wardrobe for easy dressing and styling. It's a simple method to maximize your existing clothes, reducing decision fatigue and discovering new looks with a small, curated selection of versatile pieces, distinct from the longer-term Project 333 challenge (33 items for 3 months).
Do & don'ts in Turkey?
In Turkey, DO dress modestly (cover shoulders/knees, headscarf for women at mosques), remove shoes before entering homes/mosques, accept tea/hospitality, bargain in bazaars (not fixed-price shops), try local food, and learn basic Turkish phrases; DON'T disrespect Atatürk or the flag, photograph people without permission, show excessive PDA, use the left hand for eating/passing things, refuse gifts/tea too harshly, or haggle in modern stores.
What does "thumb between fingers" mean in Turkey?
The fig sign is a mildly obscene gesture that uses a thumb wedged in between two fingers. The gesture is most commonly used to ward off the evil eye, insult someone, or deny a request. It has been used at least since the Roman Age in Southern Europe and parts of the Mediterranean region, including in Turkish culture.
Is Turkey friendly to Americans?
Is Turkey Safe For American Tourists? Yes, Turkey is safe for visitors in 2025. Millions of tourists visit Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, and Izmir every year. Crime in tourist areas is low.
How to greet a Turkish man?
The most universal greeting in Turkish is "Merhaba", translating to "Hello" in English. It is suitable for most situations, regardless of the formality of the context. For a more casual greeting, particularly among friends or acquaintances, "Selam" is commonly used.
What do Turkish call their lover?
Common Turkish names for a lover include Aşkım (My love), Sevgilim (My darling/beloved), Hayatım (My life), and Canım (My dear/soul/life), with many variations like Bebeğim (My baby), Meleğim (My angel), or gender-specific terms like Güzelim (My beautiful - for females) and Yakışıklım (My handsome - for males).
What is ç in Turkish?
Ç: it is like C but harder like the ch sound in cheese or chart,chance. Ş: it is the sh sound like the one in should.
What are swear words in Turkish?
Common Turkish Curse Words And Phrases
- Amına koyayım. This phrase, quite literally meaning "I'll put it in your mother," is one of the most versatile and commonly used Turkish curses. ...
- Orospu çocuğu. ...
- Ananı avradını sikeyim. ...
- Siktir git. ...
- Allah belanı versin. ...
- Mal. ...
- Aptal. ...
- Piç