Legal System of The Republic of Turkey - Military Justice - Military Courts

Military Courts

Military Courts have jurisdiction to try military personnel for military offenses, for offenses committed by them against other military personnel or crimes committed in military places, or for offenses connected with military service and duties. Under martial law military courts are competent to try all offences that led to the announcement of martial law. Article 14 of Law 353 describes the offences to be tried at military courts in time of war. According to Article 2 of Law 353 the courts consist of two military judges (askeri hâkim) and an officer. In cases involving more than 200 defendants the bench has four judges and one officer. Military prosecutors (askeri savcı) will be appointed according to the need. Judges and prosecutors hold the title judge (hâkim or yargıç) along with their ordinary officer's ranks whether they are on the bench or prosecutors.

In military courts, there rarely are defense lawyers to the accused, although the defendants are entitled to legal counsel from military personnel with the title askeri hâkim.