Criminal Law

The increasing complexity of commercial life exposes company directors, finance professionals and entrepreneurs to ever greater criminal risk. In criminal proceedings, an early and systematic defence strategy determines the course of the investigation. Emir Law & Consulting provides strong and proactive defence from the investigation stage in all areas of commercial criminal law — from white-collar crimes to AML/MASAK investigations, from digital evidence issues to corporate criminal liability.

White-Collar and Commercial Crimes

Under the Turkish Criminal Code (TCC), offences such as fraud (Articles 157–158), fraudulent bankruptcy (Articles 161–162), breach of trust (Article 155), harming creditors, embezzlement and extortion pose serious risks for company directors, accounting and finance department employees and independent service providers. The Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 also prescribes specific criminal sanctions for company directors. In such cases, document review, evidence analysis and formulation of the defence strategy at the earliest stage of the investigation are critical.

AML/MASAK and Defence against Terrorist Financing

MASAK investigations conducted under the Law on Prevention of Laundering of Proceeds of Crime No. 5549 and the Law on Prevention of Financing of Terrorism No. 6415 can directly affect companies and individuals in the finance, real estate, crypto-asset and trade sectors. Failure to fulfil KYC/CDD obligations creates the risk of both administrative sanctions and criminal investigation. We provide support in criminal defence from the investigation notification to the trial stage, and in appeals against precautionary measures and asset freezing orders.

Corporate Criminal Liability: Sanctions against Legal Entities

While Turkish law does not impose imprisonment directly on legal entities, the Law on Misdemeanours No. 5326 and special legislation prescribe severe administrative fines, revocation of operating permits and confiscation. We advise on criminal defence and compliance programme creation on behalf of companies in numerous areas, particularly bribery, money laundering and environmental crimes.

Digital Evidence and Cybercrime

Fraud committed in digital environments, data theft, unauthorised access to IT systems (TCC Articles 243–244), unlawful acquisition and sharing of personal data and cybercrimes require specialised technical and legal expertise in both evidence collection and defence. We provide legal advisory on challenges to the method of obtaining digital evidence, questioning evidence integrity and digital forensics processes.

Investigation, Detention and Prosecution Processes

We provide effective representation at every stage of the defence process: appeals against custody and detention orders, legal assistance during statement-taking in the investigation phase, confidentiality orders and file review rights, negotiation with the public prosecutor's office, objection to secure a decision of non-prosecution (KYOK) and acquittal. We also stand by our clients at the appeal and review stages before the Court of Cassation.

Our Services

• Defence in fraud, breach of trust and fraudulent bankruptcy cases
• Representation in bribery, extortion and abuse of office cases
• Criminal defence in AML/MASAK investigations
• Defence against money laundering and terrorist financing allegations
• Appeals against asset seizure and freezing orders
• Corporate criminal defence and compliance programme advisory
• Cybercrime and cyber fraud defence
• Challenges to digital evidence integrity and digital forensics process management
• Tax and customs offence defence
• Appeals against custody and detention orders
• Advisory on advance payment and settlement procedures
• Compensation actions following acquittal

Why Emir Law?

In criminal proceedings, every step is determinative; errors are most often irremediable. Our team, with deep knowledge of the technical density and investigation dynamics of commercial criminal law, defends our clients in a proactive, strategic and robust manner.