COURT ISTANBUL AIRPORT

The opening of borders between countries makes it easy for people, goods and services to move around. The digitization of information between government services means that people are - sometimes wrongly - arrested at the airport on the basis of an arrest order. This often leads to annoyance for the passenger who may have to miss his flight because of this.

In order to process the crimes committed at the airport as well as arrest warrants issued by the Public Prosecution Service in short term, the world's first airport court has been opened at Istanbul Airport as part of judicial reforms. The airport court, set up and staffed like an ordinary court, is open around the clock. This "mini" court is part of, and supports the District Court in Gaziosmanpasa in Istanbul.

it is not intended to carry out entire court proceedings at this 'mini' court, but only offers the opportunity to settle the legal issue or arrest warrants within a few minutes. The arrested passenger does not have to spend the night in a cell to be escorted to the local court, where it would otherwise have to be. Think of an arrest warrant for a formal witness testimony or an additional statement necessary for ongoing proceedings. But also crimes that occur at the airport can be dealt with immediately. Such as a charge of a theft committed at the airport.

A courtroom in the middle of an airport minimizes the total time that would otherwise be involved in the arrest, prosecution and questioning. This is quite an improvement for both the passenger and the customs officer charged with the execution of the arrest warrant. After the testimony, the passengers can reach their flights without any problems or delay.

Thanks to judicial services delivered 7/24, a total of 3,500 arrest warrants and 2,100 works have been carried out as part of ongoing investigations since February 10, 2020. A world first!