ANKARA (AA) - The new Turkish penal code has gone into effect this morning (Wednesday), along with the procedure penal and the law on the execution of sentences.
The new penal code increased the duration and amount of penalties in some cases.
For the first time in Turkey's history, snatch-and-run incidents got covered under the penal code. Snatch-and-run thieves may be jailed up to seven years. Those individuals who fire bullets into the air during games and/or weddings may receive up to 25 years in prison.
Drivers who pass when the traffic light is red and cause death of a pedestrian will receive up to 25 years in prison. Drivers who get involved in traffic accidents and kill individuals will get up to 15 years in jail.
The code on execution of sentences makes it impossible for the likes of terrorist Abdullah Ocalan to be freed. Ocalan and similar individuals will remain in jail indefinitely.
Here are some of the changes in the new penal code:
-All judicial records will be kept confidential. Such records can only be obtained by the individual himself or by authorized officials.
-Personal information provided to private establishments may not be given to third parties without the exclusive authorization of the individual in question.
-Where delay may be a matter of concern, houses can be searched just by the order of a prosecutor.
-No search can be done in law offices without the presence of a Republican prosecutor.
-Security forces may search individual computers, if other means of collecting evidence is not possible.
-A body search will be conducted without hurting the individual's privacy. Body searches will be made quickly.
-Individuals refusing a body search at private enterprises/institutions, will not be allowed into the building.
-Judicial search may not take place at night time at private homes, business or other covered areas.
-Those authorized to conduct a search may use appropriate force if met with resistance from the individual(s).
-A person may request his/her attorney to be present in cases of searches in home, office, etc.
-Prison terms may be converted into fines.
-A Turkish citizen who committed a crime in Turkey, and tried for that reason in a court in a foreign country, may ask to be retried in a Turkish court.
-Individuals will not be held liable for results of their acts arising because of an order by his/her superiors.
-Children younger than the age of 12 will be exempt from receiving penalties for their acts.
-Acts of genocide or crimes against humanity will receive heavy penalty.
-Encouragement of suicide through the media will receive a prison term of 4 to 10 years.
-Scientific tests conducted on human beings will be considered a crime.
-Organ transfer without the provider's approval will be fined 5 to 9 years in prison.
-Security officers who conduct torture will get a prison term of 3-12 years.
-Abortion may take place only during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
-Sexual abuse of children will result in a prison term of 3-8 years in prison.
-Using credit cards who belong to others will be penalized by a jail term of 3-6 years.
-Perpetrators of honor killings will receive a penalty of life in prison.
-Beating a spouse will be considered as a crime. Any individual abusing his/her spouse and using violence will get a sentence of 3-8 years in prison. A spouse can not be forced to have sex.
-A rapist cannot just rape a girl/woman and expect to marry the person. Rapists will get punished. Men who leave their pregnant wives may receive a prison term. -Driving under the influence of alcohol will be severely punished.
-Murderers who killed deliberately will remain in prison for 24 years. In the past, such murderers could go out of prison within 10 years.
-Convicts may work in prison and earn money.
-Convicts will be able to watch TV and listen to radio. They may purchase gifts.
-Finally, the new Turkish penal code brings severe penalties for journalists.
(SOL-ULG)
2005-06-01