Turkey Enacts Judicial Package Reducing Penalties for IBAN Misuse

The Turkish Parliament approved the 12th Judicial Package (Law No. 7589), which was published in the Official Gazette and took effect immediately. The reform aims to accelerate court proceedings and eliminate procedural bottlenecks across a wide range of areas, from fraud to interest rates.

A headline provision halves the criminal penalties for individuals who allow others to use their bank account, IBAN, credit card, payment instrument, or crypto‑asset account in fraud schemes. Cases already decided under the previous rules will be sent back to first‑instance courts for review. The law does not contain a general amnesty, but expands an "effective remorse" mechanism that can reduce sentences if victims are fully compensated within six months.

Other notable changes include a three‑month maximum interval between court hearings, revised conditions for the postponement of judgment (HAGB) that exclude torture‑related crimes, and new sanctions for judges or prosecutors who unnecessarily request expert testimony.