1. Understanding Cross-Border Criminal Law

The increasing internationalisation of commerce, finance, technology and digital communications has fundamentally transformed the way criminal investigations are conducted. Matters that were once confined to a single jurisdiction now frequently involve several countries, requiring prosecutors, courts and law enforcement authorities to cooperate across national borders. As a result, cross-border criminal law has become an increasingly important area of legal practice for multinational corporations, financial institutions, international investors and private individuals engaged in international business. Criminal investigations may now involve evidence located abroad, witnesses residing in different jurisdictions, multinational corporate structures, cross-border financial transactions or digital information stored on overseas servers. In many cases, several national authorities investigate different aspects of the same underlying conduct simultaneously.

For international clients, the principal concern is therefore no longer the theoretical concept of international criminal law but the practical operation of international judicial cooperation. Businesses need to understand how evidence may be obtained across borders, how foreign judicial requests are executed in Türkiye, how criminal proceedings in one jurisdiction may affect another, and how coordinated legal strategies can minimise procedural and commercial risk. Accordingly, this guide adopts a practical understanding of cross-border criminal law. Rather than focusing on international crimes prosecuted before international tribunals, it examines the legal framework governing cooperation between Türkiye and foreign jurisdictions in criminal matters. Particular emphasis is placed on the procedural mechanisms that enable competent authorities to cooperate during criminal investigations and criminal proceedings.

Cross-border criminal matters commonly arise where suspects, victims, witnesses, evidence or criminal assets are located in different jurisdictions. They may also arise where multinational companies become subject to parallel investigations conducted simultaneously by prosecutors, financial intelligence units or regulatory authorities in several countries. In such circumstances, decisions taken in one jurisdiction may directly influence criminal proceedings elsewhere.

International judicial cooperation provides the procedural bridge between different national legal systems. It enables States to request and provide legal assistance while respecting national sovereignty, domestic procedural rules and internationally recognised legal safeguards. Through these mechanisms, evidence may be collected, judicial documents transmitted, criminal judgments enforced and investigative measures coordinated without requiring foreign authorities to exercise criminal jurisdiction directly within another State’s territory.

As international business activity continues to expand, cross-border criminal law has evolved from a specialised area of practice into an essential component of international legal risk management. Organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions should therefore regard international judicial cooperation not as an exceptional legal issue, but as an increasingly routine aspect of corporate governance, compliance and strategic risk management.

2. Türkiye’s International Criminal Cooperation Framework

Effective international criminal cooperation depends upon a clear legal framework that enables national authorities to work with their foreign counterparts while safeguarding procedural fairness, judicial independence and national sovereignty. As criminal investigations increasingly extend beyond national borders, the legal mechanisms governing international judicial cooperation have become an essential component of Türkiye’s criminal justice system.

Türkiye has established a comprehensive framework for international judicial cooperation in criminal matters, enabling Turkish authorities to cooperate with foreign jurisdictions in the investigation, prosecution and enforcement of criminal offences with an international dimension. The principal domestic legislation is Law No. 6706 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, which entered into force in 2016. The Law provides the legal foundation for the principal mechanisms of judicial cooperation, including Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (Ceza İstinabe), Notification Related to Criminal Matters (Ceza Tebligatı), Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons and other forms of international cooperation in criminal proceedings. It also operates alongside Türkiye’s obligations arising from bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions and other applicable international instruments.

A defining characteristic of the Turkish system is the designation of the Ministry of Justice as the Central Authority responsible for coordinating international judicial cooperation. Through the Directorate General for Foreign Relations and European Union Affairs, the Ministry receives, examines and transmits requests for judicial assistance, coordinates communication with foreign authorities and facilitates the procedural management of international cooperation requests.

This centralised structure provides an important practical advantage. Rather than requiring direct communication between individual prosecutors or courts in different countries, many forms of international judicial cooperation are coordinated through a specialised authority familiar with both Turkish criminal procedure and the applicable international legal framework. This contributes to greater procedural consistency, improved administrative efficiency and more effective communication between the requesting and requested States.

International judicial cooperation in Türkiye is not based exclusively on domestic legislation. Depending upon the nature of the request and the relationship between the States concerned, cooperation may be founded upon:

• Law No. 6706 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters;
• bilateral judicial cooperation agreements;
• multilateral conventions;
• the principle of reciprocity, where recognised under Turkish law and international practice.

This flexible legal framework enables Türkiye to cooperate with a broad range of jurisdictions while ensuring that requests are examined in accordance with domestic procedural safeguards and applicable international obligations.

The practical importance of this framework continues to expand. Modern criminal investigations frequently involve multinational corporate groups, international financial transactions, digital communications, cryptocurrency assets and electronic evidence stored across multiple jurisdictions. Consequently, requests for banking information, corporate records, witness interviews, expert examinations or asset tracing increasingly require structured cooperation between judicial authorities operating under different legal systems.

Practical Insight: International judicial cooperation should not be viewed as an exceptional procedure reserved for organised crime or terrorism cases. Today, multinational businesses may encounter judicial cooperation requests in connection with allegations of fraud, corruption, money laundering, cybercrime, sanctions violations, tax offences or other forms of economic crime. Understanding the legal framework governing these procedures is therefore an important aspect of international legal risk management.

3. When Cross-Border Criminal Issues Arise

Cross-border criminal issues rarely arise in isolation. In most cases, they develop as a consequence of increasingly international business operations, global financial transactions, digital communications and multinational corporate structures. As commercial activities extend across multiple jurisdictions, criminal investigations likewise become more international, often requiring simultaneous cooperation between prosecutors, courts, financial intelligence units and regulatory authorities in different countries.

For many businesses, international criminal cooperation is no longer an exceptional event. It has become a realistic legal risk associated with operating across borders. A company established in one jurisdiction may hold financial records in another, maintain cloud-based data on servers located elsewhere and conduct transactions through international banking systems involving several countries. When criminal allegations arise, each of these connections may trigger requests for international judicial cooperation. Cross-border criminal matters commonly arise where:

• evidence is located outside the investigating State;
• suspects, victims or witnesses reside in different jurisdictions;
• multinational companies become subject to parallel investigations;
• banking information or corporate records are held abroad;
• criminal proceeds have been transferred internationally;
• digital evidence is stored on overseas servers;
• foreign judicial authorities require procedural assistance from Türkiye; or
• Turkish authorities seek assistance from foreign jurisdictions.

The legal implications frequently extend beyond criminal liability. Businesses may simultaneously face regulatory inquiries, compliance reviews, contractual disputes, civil proceedings and reputational risks. Decisions taken during the earliest stages of one investigation may also influence proceedings in other jurisdictions, making coordinated legal strategy particularly important.

For private individuals, cross-border criminal issues may arise through international business activities, employment abroad, foreign criminal investigations, judicial notifications, extradition requests or proceedings involving evidence located outside their country of residence. In many cases, individuals become involved in international judicial cooperation without having anticipated that a domestic matter could develop into a multi-jurisdictional investigation.

Best Practice: The international dimension of a criminal investigation should be identified as early as possible. Once multiple jurisdictions become involved, procedural decisions concerning evidence preservation, witness interviews, corporate records or communications with public authorities may have consequences extending well beyond the jurisdiction in which the investigation first commenced.

4. Multi-Jurisdictional Criminal Investigations

Modern criminal investigations increasingly involve more than one jurisdiction. Financial crime, corruption, cybercrime, money laundering, sanctions violations and other forms of economic crime frequently require coordinated investigative measures in several countries simultaneously. Rather than conducting separate and unrelated proceedings, national authorities increasingly cooperate through established mechanisms of international judicial cooperation while each continues to exercise its own criminal jurisdiction.

Multi-jurisdictional investigations often involve several prosecuting authorities examining different aspects of the same underlying conduct. One jurisdiction may investigate suspected fraud, another may examine tax offences, while a third focuses on money laundering, asset recovery or related corporate misconduct. Although each authority applies its own domestic law, effective enforcement frequently depends upon the exchange of information and procedural assistance between jurisdictions. These investigations commonly involve requests for:

• witness interviews;
• corporate records;
• banking information;
• accounting documentation;
• expert examinations;
• electronic communications;
• digital evidence;
• searches and seizures; and
• asset tracing.

Rather than allowing foreign authorities to exercise investigative powers directly within another State’s territory, international judicial cooperation enables the requested State to carry out the necessary procedural measures in accordance with its own domestic law. This approach respects national sovereignty while ensuring that criminal investigations are not frustrated by international borders.

International cooperation has become increasingly institutionalised through bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions and specialised judicial cooperation networks. These mechanisms facilitate the coordination of parallel investigations, the exchange of evidence and the resolution of practical issues that inevitably arise when several jurisdictions investigate related conduct at the same time. Eurojust, for example, supports judicial coordination and cooperation in complex cross-border criminal investigations involving European jurisdictions.

For businesses, multi-jurisdictional investigations require a coordinated legal response. Internal investigations, document preservation, regulatory reporting obligations and communications with enforcement authorities should be considered within a single strategic framework rather than addressed separately in each jurisdiction. A fragmented approach may create inconsistent positions, duplicate investigative efforts and unnecessarily increase legal and commercial risk.

Cross-Border Perspective: The most significant challenge in a multi-jurisdictional investigation is often coordination rather than complexity. A carefully integrated legal strategy enables businesses and individuals to respond consistently to multiple authorities while protecting procedural rights and reducing unnecessary disruption to commercial operations.

5. Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (Ceza İstinabe)

Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (“MLA”) is the principal mechanism through which judicial authorities in different jurisdictions cooperate during criminal investigations and criminal proceedings. It enables one State to request another State to perform procedural acts that cannot lawfully be carried out outside its own territory. Unlike extradition, which concerns the transfer of individuals, Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance focuses on the collection of evidence, procedural assistance and the execution of judicial measures. As criminal investigations increasingly involve evidence, witnesses, financial records and digital information dispersed across multiple jurisdictions, MLA has become one of the most important instruments of international judicial cooperation.

Modern criminal investigations rarely remain confined to a single country. Corporate records may be held in one jurisdiction, banking information in another and electronic evidence on servers located elsewhere. Rather than allowing foreign authorities to exercise investigative powers directly within another State’s territory, MLA enables the requested State to perform the necessary procedural measures in accordance with its own domestic law while assisting the requesting authority. This preserves national sovereignty while facilitating effective cross-border criminal enforcement.

Under Turkish law, Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance is principally governed by Law No. 6706 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, together with applicable bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions and other relevant international instruments. Operational coordination is undertaken through the Ministry of Justice, acting as Türkiye’s Central Authority for international judicial cooperation. In practice, MLA requests arise whenever criminal proceedings require procedural measures to be carried out outside the requesting State. Typical requests include:

• obtaining witness statements;
• interviewing suspects;
• obtaining expert opinions;
• securing banking information;
• obtaining accounting and corporate records;
• collecting commercial documentation;
• identifying beneficial ownership structures;
• tracing criminal proceeds;
• executing searches and seizures;
• preserving electronic evidence; and
• enforcing confiscation measures where legally permissible.

The Turkish Ministry of Justice provides detailed guidance concerning the preparation and execution of MLA requests. Requests should clearly identify the requesting authority, summarise the relevant facts, specify the applicable legal provisions, describe the assistance sought and explain the evidential purpose of the request. These requirements promote procedural efficiency while enabling the requested authority to evaluate the request in accordance with Turkish law and applicable international obligations.

The scope of MLA has expanded considerably over the past two decades. While traditionally associated with witness examinations and documentary evidence, modern judicial cooperation increasingly extends to financial investigations, corporate records, digital evidence and cross-border asset recovery. Requests may therefore concern:

• preservation of evidence;
• corporate and accounting documentation;
• banking and financial information;
• electronic communications;
• forensic examinations;
• cryptocurrency-related evidence;
• tracing of criminal assets; and
• confiscation and recovery proceedings.

For multinational businesses, MLA requests frequently arise in connection with internal investigations, regulatory inquiries and cross-border financial crime investigations. Accordingly, organisations should establish appropriate procedures for responding to international judicial cooperation requests while preserving legal privilege, maintaining document integrity and coordinating responses across affected jurisdictions.

Practical Insight: Receiving an MLA request does not necessarily mean that a company or individual is the target of a criminal investigation. Businesses are often asked to provide documents or information because they possess evidence relevant to proceedings taking place in another jurisdiction. Nevertheless, every request should be carefully reviewed to determine its legal basis, procedural scope and potential implications for parallel investigations or related regulatory proceedings.

6. Notification Related to Criminal Matters (Ceza Tebligatı)

International criminal proceedings frequently require judicial authorities to notify individuals or organisations located abroad of procedural acts, judicial decisions or other documents issued during criminal investigations and criminal proceedings. Although this mechanism receives considerably less attention than extradition or mutual legal assistance, it constitutes one of the essential components of international judicial cooperation. Throughout this guide, this mechanism is referred to as Notification Related to Criminal Matters. In practical terms, it concerns the international transmission of judicial documents connected with criminal proceedings from one jurisdiction to another through legally recognised cooperation procedures. International notification may involve:

• indictments;
• summonses;
• judicial decisions;
• hearing notifications;
• procedural orders;
• requests requiring procedural participation; and
• other official documents issued during criminal investigations or criminal proceedings.

Unlike domestic notification procedures, international notification cannot ordinarily be carried out directly within another State’s territory. Instead, judicial documents are transmitted through the legal mechanisms established by Law No. 6706, applicable bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions and other international judicial cooperation instruments. The Ministry of Justice coordinates these procedures in its capacity as Türkiye’s Central Authority for international judicial cooperation.

Proper notification serves a fundamental procedural purpose. It ensures that individuals and organisations affected by criminal proceedings receive formal notice of judicial acts capable of affecting their legal rights and obligations. Effective notification therefore supports procedural fairness while enabling criminal proceedings involving foreign jurisdictions to progress in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

6.1. Notification in Practice 

International notification frequently forms part of broader judicial cooperation. For example, notification may accompany:

• requests for witness interviews;
• requests for suspect examinations;
• applications for Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance;
• criminal hearings;
• appellate proceedings;
• enforcement of criminal judgments; or
• other procedural measures requiring participation by individuals or organisations located abroad.

Accordingly, notification should not be viewed as an isolated procedural step. It frequently operates alongside other forms of international judicial cooperation, including mutual legal assistance, extradition proceedings and parallel criminal investigations.

6.3. Business Implications

For multinational businesses, international notification may represent the first formal indication that criminal proceedings have commenced in another jurisdiction. A company established in Türkiye may receive judicial documents relating to foreign criminal proceedings concerning employees, corporate records, financial transactions or other matters connected with its international operations. Likewise, foreign companies conducting business in Türkiye may receive notifications through Turkish judicial authorities pursuant to applicable international cooperation procedures.

Although notification does not necessarily indicate criminal liability, it should never be regarded as a routine administrative formality. Procedural deadlines may begin to run upon notification, and the documents served may require the recipient to preserve evidence, produce information, participate in proceedings or take other legally significant steps. Early legal assessment therefore enables organisations to understand the legal significance of the notification, identify any related investigations and coordinate an appropriate response across all affected jurisdictions.

Best Practice: Businesses should establish internal procedures for the prompt escalation of judicial notifications received from foreign authorities or transmitted through international cooperation channels. Early review by experienced legal counsel helps ensure that procedural deadlines are observed, relevant documents are preserved and appropriate legal strategies are developed before further judicial measures are initiated.

7. Extradition

Extradition is one of the most recognised mechanisms of international judicial cooperation. It enables one State to request another State to surrender an individual for criminal prosecution or for the enforcement of a criminal sentence. Although extradition frequently attracts public attention in high-profile criminal cases, it represents only one component of the broader framework of cross-border criminal cooperation.

In Türkiye, extradition is principally governed by Law No. 6706 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, together with applicable bilateral treaties and multilateral conventions. Extradition proceedings combine judicial review with executive decision-making, reflecting both legal and diplomatic considerations. Requests are examined in accordance with Turkish legislation, applicable treaty obligations and internationally recognised principles, including dual criminality, speciality, proportionality and the protection of fundamental rights.

Extradition requests commonly arise in investigations involving financial crime, organised crime, corruption, cybercrime, money laundering, tax offences and other serious cross-border offences. In many cases, extradition proceedings are closely connected with requests for Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance, international asset recovery or parallel criminal investigations in multiple jurisdictions.

Because extradition directly affects personal liberty, each request requires careful legal analysis. Questions relating to nationality, political offences, human rights protections, procedural safeguards, treaty obligations and the sufficiency of supporting documentation frequently determine whether an extradition request will ultimately succeed.

Practical Insight: Extradition should rarely be considered in isolation. It often forms part of a broader strategy involving Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance, international notifications, INTERPOL cooperation and cross-border evidence gathering. Early legal assessment is therefore essential to protect procedural rights and coordinate an effective defence strategy. For a comprehensive analysis of Turkish extradition law, judicial practice and procedural requirements, readers are invited to consult our dedicated guide: Extradition Proceedings in Türkiye.

8. INTERPOL Cooperation

Modern cross-border criminal investigations increasingly rely upon international police cooperation. Through its secure communication network and notification system, INTERPOL assists law enforcement authorities in exchanging information, locating individuals and supporting investigations that extend across national borders.

It is important, however, to distinguish INTERPOL cooperation from extradition. An INTERPOL notice is not an international arrest warrant and does not, by itself, authorise extradition. Rather, it is a mechanism for international police cooperation that enables member countries to exchange information in accordance with INTERPOL’s Constitution and applicable national law. Depending upon the circumstances, INTERPOL cooperation may involve:

• locating wanted persons;
• identifying fugitives;
• tracing criminal assets;
• exchanging operational intelligence;
• supporting ongoing criminal investigations; and
• facilitating communication between national law enforcement authorities.

Where appropriate, INTERPOL communications may subsequently be followed by requests for extradition, Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance or other forms of judicial cooperation. Nevertheless, each of these procedures remains legally distinct and is governed by its own legal framework.

Cross-Border Perspective: Many individuals mistakenly believe that the publication of an INTERPOL Red Notice automatically results in extradition. In practice, extradition remains an independent judicial process governed by domestic legislation, international treaties and judicial review. Understanding this distinction is essential when responding to cross-border criminal proceedings. Readers seeking detailed guidance on INTERPOL notices, available legal remedies and Turkish practice should consult our dedicated publication: Using INTERPOL Red Notice System in Türkiye.

9. Transfer of Sentenced Persons

International judicial cooperation does not conclude once criminal proceedings have been completed. In appropriate circumstances, States may cooperate to allow convicted individuals to serve the remainder of their sentence in another country with which they maintain closer personal, family or social ties. The Transfer of Sentenced Persons is founded upon humanitarian and rehabilitative principles. Serving a sentence closer to family members and within a familiar linguistic, cultural or social environment may contribute to rehabilitation while strengthening international cooperation in the execution of criminal judgments.

In Türkiye, transfers are principally governed by Law No. 6706, together with applicable bilateral agreements and multilateral conventions. The Ministry of Justice acts as the Central Authority responsible for coordinating transfer procedures with the competent foreign authorities.

Transfer proceedings differ fundamentally from extradition. Whereas extradition concerns the surrender of an individual for prosecution or enforcement of a sentence, transfer procedures apply only after a criminal conviction has become final and focus on the continued execution of the sentence in another jurisdiction. Requests commonly arise where:

• Turkish nationals are imprisoned abroad;
• foreign nationals are serving sentences in Türkiye;
• humanitarian considerations support transfer; or
• rehabilitation is likely to be better achieved in another State.

Each application requires careful assessment of the applicable legal framework, treaty obligations and the practical consequences of the proposed transfer.

10. International Asset Tracing, Freezing and Confiscation

International judicial cooperation increasingly extends beyond evidence gathering and the surrender of individuals. Modern criminal investigations frequently seek to identify, preserve and ultimately recover the proceeds of crime located across multiple jurisdictions. Consequently, international asset tracing, freezing and confiscation have become central elements of contemporary cross-border criminal enforcement.

Financial crime rarely remains confined to a single jurisdiction. Criminal proceeds may be transferred through several countries, concealed behind complex corporate structures or converted into different forms of property before investigators identify their existence. Effective asset recovery therefore depends upon close cooperation between judicial authorities, financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies operating in different legal systems. International cooperation in this area commonly accompanies investigations involving:

• money laundering;
• fraud;
• bribery and corruption;
• organised crime;
• sanctions violations;
• terrorist financing;
• tax offences;
• cryptocurrency-related crime; and
• other forms of transnational financial crime.

Requests may involve identifying bank accounts, tracing beneficial ownership, preserving financial assets, obtaining banking information or enforcing confiscation measures in accordance with domestic legislation and applicable international agreements. For multinational businesses, asset-related measures may have immediate commercial consequences. Freezing orders, preservation measures and requests for financial information can affect banking relationships, contractual performance, corporate transactions and ongoing commercial operations long before criminal proceedings reach trial.

Best Practice: Businesses confronted with cross-border asset recovery measures should obtain legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Understanding the legal basis of the request, preserving relevant evidence and coordinating responses across all affected jurisdictions frequently reduce legal, commercial and reputational risk.

11. Cross-Border Financial Crime

Today, the vast majority of cross-border criminal investigations concern economic and financial crime rather than traditional offences against the person. International banking systems, multinational corporate structures, digital payment technologies and global supply chains have transformed the way financial crime is committed- and the way it is investigated.

Financial crime investigations rarely remain confined to a single jurisdiction. Banking records may be located in one country, corporate documentation in another, digital evidence on servers elsewhere and criminal proceeds dispersed through multiple financial systems. Effective enforcement therefore depends upon close cooperation between prosecutors, financial intelligence units, regulatory authorities and judicial bodies operating under different legal systems. Cross-border financial investigations commonly involve allegations of:

• money laundering;
• fraud;
• bribery and corruption;
• tax offences;
• sanctions violations;
• export control offences;
• market abuse;
• terrorist financing;
• cryptocurrency-related offences; and
• corporate accounting fraud.

In practice, criminal investigations are frequently accompanied by regulatory enforcement, compliance reviews, civil proceedings and reputational issues. Consequently, organisations should adopt an integrated legal strategy that addresses all legal and commercial aspects of the matter rather than treating criminal proceedings in isolation.

International asset recovery has likewise become an increasingly important objective of modern enforcement. Identifying, preserving and confiscating criminal proceeds often requires extensive judicial cooperation across several jurisdictions. Businesses involved in such investigations should therefore assess not only criminal exposure but also the potential implications for banking relationships, commercial operations and corporate governance.

Cross-Border Perspective: Financial investigations often develop simultaneously in several jurisdictions. A coordinated legal strategy from the outset helps minimise inconsistent positions, reduces procedural risk and supports effective engagement with all competent authorities.

12. Corporate Internal Investigations

For multinational organisations, a properly managed internal investigation is frequently the most effective response to allegations of cross-border criminal misconduct. Internal investigations enable organisations to establish the relevant facts, preserve evidence, assess legal exposure and implement appropriate remedial measures before external enforcement action progresses further. They also assist corporate management in making informed decisions concerning regulatory reporting, employee relations, compliance obligations and communications with public authorities. Internal investigations commonly arise following:

• whistleblower reports;
• regulatory inquiries;
• Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance requests;
• international judicial notifications;
• allegations of fraud or corruption;
• sanctions compliance concerns;
• suspected money laundering;
• cyber incidents;
• accounting irregularities; or
• cross-border commercial disputes involving potential criminal conduct.

Where multiple jurisdictions are involved, internal investigations become significantly more complex. Different legal systems may impose different obligations concerning legal privilege, personal data protection, document preservation, employee interviews and disclosure obligations. A coordinated cross-border approach is therefore essential to avoid inconsistent responses and conflicting legal obligations.

Best Practice: An internal investigation should never be viewed solely as a defensive exercise. Properly conducted, it enables an organisation to understand the facts, demonstrate responsible corporate governance and engage constructively with competent authorities where appropriate.

13. Practical Checklist

Cross-border criminal matters frequently develop rapidly. Early procedural decisions may affect investigations, evidence, regulatory obligations and related proceedings in several jurisdictions. The following practical checklist provides general guidance for organisations and individuals confronted with international criminal matters involving Türkiye.

13.1. For Businesses

• Identify all jurisdictions potentially involved.
• Preserve relevant documents and electronic evidence immediately.
• Implement appropriate legal hold procedures.
• Coordinate legal advice across all affected jurisdictions.
• Consider whether an internal investigation should commence.
• Assess regulatory, contractual and compliance implications in addition to criminal liability.
• Monitor developments concerning asset freezing, confiscation or international judicial cooperation requests.
• Ensure consistent communications with enforcement authorities and other stakeholders.

13.2. For Individuals

• Obtain legal advice as soon as international judicial documents are received.
• Preserve potentially relevant documentation.
• Avoid making inconsistent statements in different jurisdictions.
• Understand the legal significance of judicial notifications, MLA requests, extradition proceedings or INTERPOL-related measures before responding.
• Consider how proceedings in one jurisdiction may affect legal rights elsewhere.

Practical Insight: Cross-border criminal matters rarely become less complex with time. Early legal advice often prevents procedural difficulties that may be considerably more difficult – and more costly – to resolve at a later stage.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

14.1. What is cross-border criminal law?

Cross-border criminal law concerns criminal investigations and proceedings involving two or more jurisdictions. Rather than focusing on international crimes prosecuted before international tribunals, it examines how national authorities cooperate in criminal matters through mechanisms such as Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance, international notifications, extradition, transfer of sentenced persons and international asset recovery.

14.2. What is the legal basis for international judicial cooperation in Türkiye?

International judicial cooperation in Türkiye is primarily governed by Law No. 6706 on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters, together with applicable bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions and other international legal instruments. The Ministry of Justice acts as the Central Authority responsible for coordinating most forms of international judicial cooperation.

14.3. What is Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (Ceza İstinabe)?

Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance enables judicial authorities in one country to request another country to perform procedural acts required for criminal investigations or criminal proceedings. These may include obtaining witness statements, collecting documentary evidence, securing banking records, conducting searches or preserving digital evidence.

14.4. What is Notification Related to Criminal Matters?

Notification Related to Criminal Matters is the formal international transmission of judicial documents issued during criminal proceedings. It enables indictments, summonses, judicial decisions and other procedural documents to be lawfully served on individuals or organisations located in another jurisdiction through recognised international cooperation mechanisms.

14.5. Is an INTERPOL Red Notice the same as extradition?

No. An INTERPOL Red Notice is a mechanism for international police cooperation. It is neither an international arrest warrant nor an extradition order. Extradition is a separate judicial process governed by domestic legislation, applicable treaties and judicial review.

14.6. Can foreign authorities obtain evidence located in Türkiye?

Yes. Foreign judicial authorities may request evidence located in Türkiye through Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance procedures. Such requests are examined and executed in accordance with Turkish law, applicable international agreements and the procedural safeguards established under Law No. 6706.

14.7. Can Turkish authorities request evidence from other countries?

Yes. Turkish prosecutors and courts may request judicial assistance from foreign authorities where evidence, witnesses, suspects or criminal assets are located abroad. Depending on the circumstances, cooperation may be based upon bilateral agreements, multilateral conventions or other recognised legal mechanisms.

14.8. What types of offences most commonly involve cross-border criminal cooperation?

International judicial cooperation most frequently arises in investigations concerning:

• money laundering;
• fraud;
• bribery and corruption;
• cybercrime;
• sanctions and export control violations;
• organised crime;
• terrorist financing;
• tax offences; and
• other forms of financial or corporate crime.

14.9. When should legal advice be obtained?

Legal advice should be sought as soon as an individual or organisation becomes aware of an international criminal investigation, receives judicial documents from abroad or is contacted by foreign authorities. Early legal assessment often enables procedural issues to be addressed before they develop into more complex cross-border disputes.

15. How Bıçak Law Firm Assists

Cross-border criminal matters require more than technical knowledge of criminal legislation. They require strategic coordination between different legal systems, careful management of international judicial cooperation procedures and an understanding of the commercial, regulatory and reputational consequences that frequently accompany international investigations.

Bıçak Law Firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, foreign investors, international law firms, embassies, government authorities, business executives and private individuals in matters involving cross-border criminal law and international judicial cooperation connected with Türkiye. Our services include:

• Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance (Ceza İstinabe);
• Notification Related to Criminal Matters (Ceza Tebligatı);
• extradition proceedings;
• INTERPOL-related matters;
• transfer of sentenced persons;
• cross-border financial crime investigations;
• international asset tracing and recovery;
• corporate internal investigations;
• white-collar crime defence;
• anti-money laundering compliance;
• sanctions and export control matters; and
• strategic coordination of multi-jurisdictional investigations.

Where matters extend beyond Türkiye, we work closely with trusted foreign counsel to ensure coordinated legal representation across all relevant jurisdictions while maintaining a consistent strategic approach. Professor Dr. Vahit Bıçak also serves as the Country Editor for Türkiye at ExtraditionHub, contributing practical analysis on Turkish extradition law and international judicial cooperation. This international role complements the firm’s wider practice in cross-border criminal law and reflects its longstanding commitment to comparative legal research and international legal cooperation.

Our Approach: We believe that successful cross-border criminal representation begins long before court proceedings. Early legal assessment, coordinated international strategy and effective communication between legal advisers in different jurisdictions frequently determine the outcome of complex international matters. Our objective is not only to respond to international criminal proceedings but also to help clients manage legal risk proactively while protecting their commercial interests and procedural rights.

16. Related Guides

This publication forms part of Bıçak Law Firm’s English-language knowledge platform on cross-border criminal law, regulatory enforcement and international judicial cooperation. Readers may also find the following publications useful:

• Extradition Proceedings in Türkiye
• Using INTERPOL Red Notice System in Türkiye
• White-Collar Crime Law in Türkiye
• Money Laundering in Türkiye: Legal Rules and Practice
• Corporate & Business Criminal Law
• Evidence & Digital Forensics
• International Sanctions and Export Controls

Together, these publications provide practical guidance on the principal legal issues affecting multinational businesses, financial institutions, foreign investors and individuals involved in cross-border criminal and regulatory matters connected with Türkiye.

17. Conclusion

The internationalisation of business, finance, technology and digital communications has fundamentally transformed the administration of criminal justice. Criminal investigations that once remained within a single jurisdiction now routinely involve several countries, requiring prosecutors, courts, regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to cooperate through increasingly sophisticated mechanisms of international judicial cooperation.

As a result, cross-border criminal law has evolved beyond a specialised area of legal practice. It has become an essential component of international business, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and legal risk management. Whether the underlying investigation concerns financial crime, fraud, corruption, cybercrime, sanctions violations or other forms of transnational offending, the legal and commercial consequences frequently extend well beyond national borders.

For organisations operating internationally, understanding the mechanisms of Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance, Notification Related to Criminal Matters, Extradition, INTERPOL cooperation, Transfer of Sentenced Persons and international asset recovery is no longer simply a matter of legal interest. These mechanisms increasingly influence corporate decision-making, internal investigations, regulatory strategy, document preservation, financial risk and business continuity.

The complexity of modern cross-border investigations also demonstrates that successful legal representation requires more than detailed knowledge of domestic criminal legislation. It requires the ability to anticipate how proceedings in one jurisdiction may affect another, to coordinate legal strategy across multiple legal systems and to manage communications with judicial and regulatory authorities in a structured and consistent manner.

Türkiye occupies a strategically important position within the international legal landscape. As international trade, foreign investment and cross-border mobility continue to expand, Turkish judicial authorities are expected to play an increasingly significant role in international criminal cooperation. Businesses and individuals with international connections should therefore regard cross-border criminal risk as an integral part of their broader legal and compliance strategy rather than as an exceptional contingency.

At Bıçak Law Firm, we believe that effective cross-border criminal representation begins long before formal judicial proceedings commence. Early legal assessment, strategic planning and close coordination between legal advisers in different jurisdictions frequently determine whether complex international matters can be resolved efficiently while protecting both legal rights and commercial interests.

Whether advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, foreign investors, international law firms or private individuals, our objective is to provide practical, commercially informed and strategically coordinated legal advice throughout every stage of international judicial cooperation. By combining extensive experience in Turkish criminal law with a deep understanding of cross-border enforcement and international judicial cooperation, Bıçak Law Firm assists clients in navigating complex international criminal matters with confidence, efficiency and legal certainty.