Germany investigates bribery allegations in Turkish asylum applications

German media reports indicate that human trafficking networks are allegedly using bribery to facilitate asylum claims for Turkish citizens. According to reports from Die Zeit, criminal organizations are reportedly paying certain prosecutors in Turkey to initiate criminal investigations against individuals for “insulting President Erdoğan.”

These manufactured investigations are then used as evidence of political persecution to secure asylum in Germany. The schemes reportedly involve directing individuals to make critical social media posts, which are then reported to complicit prosecutors. The resulting official records in the National Judicial Network Project (UYAP) system are presented to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) as proof of political pressure.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has been investigating these fraudulent methods, and a 2025 expert report has reportedly corroborated suspicions that some prosecutors may be involved in the process.