Laws for Foreigners in Turkey

The Rule of Extra-Territoriality

In Turkey, a special legal system called extra-territoriality is used for foreign citizens. This means that people from other countries living in Turkey are not judged by Turkish law. Instead, they are judged by the laws of their own country. These foreigners are also tried in courts held by their own diplomats and consuls. It does not matter if the person who brings the complaint (the plaintiff) is Turkish or not. What matters is the nationality of the accused (defendant).

So, if a French citizen commits a crime in Turkey, such as theft or even murder, they are tried under French law, not Turkish law. Their case is heard in the French embassy or consulate. Small crimes are usually handled by consuls, while more serious crimes are dealt with by a minister or ambassador of the same nationality. Turkish police and judges do not take part in these trials at all.

Turkish Law Based on Religion and Tradition

Turkish law is very different from Western legal systems. It is based mainly on religion, especially the teachings of Islam. The main source of law is the Koran, the holy book of Muslims. It also includes the teachings of important early Muslim leaders, called Khalifs, and other scholars of Islam.

Another major source of Turkish law is the Sheik-ul-Islam, the head of the Islamic religious system. People can ask this religious leader legal questions, and his answers become part of the law. His decisions are final and can overrule any judge in the country.

Legal Books and Royal Orders

These religious laws and decisions are written and organized into a book. This legal book is divided into sections such as:

Business and trade laws, Criminal laws, Religious and everyday rules

The Turkish legal system also includes firmans, which are orders given by the Sultan. These orders may allow or forbid specific actions and are meant to guide the people. In addition to this, there are police rules and regulations, which are usually the same every year unless changed Guided Tour Ephesus.

The Role of Islamic Legal Experts

There is a group of Islamic legal experts called the kazaskers. They are similar to judges and lawyers. These experts help the Sheik-ul-Islam by researching and preparing legal opinions or summaries for him to review and sign.

There is also another small court called the Ulema, which handles minor legal issues. All of these parts together form the full picture of how traditional Turkish and Islamic law work in the Ottoman Empire.