Financial Crime World

Turkey’s Impunity Culture: A Perfect Storm of Ineffective Agencies and Corrupt Practices

A Culture of Impunity Plagues Turkey’s Struggle Against Organized Crime

Istanbul - Despite having robust legal frameworks in place, Turkey’s struggle against organized crime is plagued by a culture of impunity, perpetuated by ineffective anti-corruption agencies, inconsistent application of laws, and a government that often abets or engages in criminal activity.

Ineffective Law Enforcement Agencies

Turkey’s law enforcement agencies have failed to effectively enforce the country’s laws. The problem lies not with the absence of policies and legislation, but with their consistent undermining by the government.

  • Despite having robust legal frameworks, Turkey’s law enforcement agencies have failed to effectively combat organized crime.
  • The government often undermines these efforts through inconsistent application of laws and political interference in the judicial system.

Weak Cooperation with International Partners

Turkey’s cooperation with international partners has weakened significantly since 2016, hindering efforts to tackle drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime. Extradition requests are often used as political tools, while INTERPOL’s red-notice system is abused to target journalists and activists living abroad.

  • Turkey’s cooperation with international partners has deteriorated significantly since 2016.
  • Extradition requests are often used as political tools, and INTERPOL’s red-notice system is abused to target journalists and activists.

Porous Borders Facilitate Illicit Activities

Turkey’s porous borders, particularly with Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan, facilitate the flow of illicit goods and people. However, it has been revealed that official authorities often turn a blind eye or even actively facilitate these activities.

  • Turkey’s borders are porous, allowing for the free flow of illicit goods and people.
  • Official authorities often turn a blind eye or actively facilitate these activities.

Compromised Judicial System

The country’s judicial system is equally compromised, with thousands of judges loyal to the regime appointed by the government. The purge of the judiciary following the 2016 coup attempt has severely weakened judicial independence, allowing the executive branch to exert excessive control over the courts.

  • Turkey’s judicial system is compromised due to government interference and lack of independence.
  • Thousands of judges are loyal to the regime, and the purge of the judiciary has weakened judicial independence.

Unsatisfactory Prison Conditions

Prison conditions are unsatisfactory, with severe overcrowding and long detention periods common. The lack of independence and interference from the state have made it difficult for the judicial system to effectively address organized crime.

  • Prison conditions in Turkey are unsatisfactory due to overcrowding and lack of independence.
  • Long detention periods are common, making it difficult for the judicial system to address organized crime.

Vulnerable Financial Sector

Turkey’s financial sector is vulnerable to money laundering, with significant proceeds from drug trafficking, human smuggling, and migrant smuggling flowing through the country. Despite improvements in anti-money laundering frameworks, serious shortcomings remain, including the lack of restrictions on entering the country with substantial sums of cash.

  • Turkey’s financial sector is vulnerable to money laundering.
  • Significant proceeds from criminal activity flow through the country, despite efforts to improve anti-money laundering frameworks.

Criticisms of Government Investigations

The government’s own investigations into money laundering have been criticized for being politicized, with state-embedded individuals likely to be involved in illegal activities.

  • The government’s investigations into money laundering have been criticized for being politicized.
  • State-embedded individuals may be involved in illegal activities.

Resilience of Civil Society

In contrast, civil society and social protection initiatives have shown resilience in the face of challenges. While measures to prevent organized crime are often used as political tools, support for victims of human trafficking is relatively robust, although victim shelters and identification systems need improvement.

  • Civil society and social protection initiatives have shown resilience in the face of challenges.
  • Support for victims of human trafficking is relatively robust, but victim shelters and identification systems need improvement.

Targeting Non-State Individuals

However, non-state individuals, particularly journalists and activists, are increasingly targeted by the government for perceived opposition. The clampdown on freedom of the press has led to the jailing of dozens of journalists, while social media platforms have been restricted in an effort to stifle dissent.

  • Non-state individuals, including journalists and activists, are targeted by the government for perceived opposition.
  • The clampdown on freedom of the press has led to the jailing of dozens of journalists, and social media platforms have been restricted.