With the spread of social media today, slander crimes have unfortunately become one of the most frequently encountered situations. Making false and damaging accusations about a person is a serious crime that disrupts the peace of both the victim and society. In this article, we will examine in detail the crime of slander regulated in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the penal practices related to this crime.
What is the Crime of Slander?
Slander is to show that a person has committed a crime that he/she has not committed or to declare that he/she has committed an act that degrades his/her dignity and honor. In simple terms, it is to damage the reputation of another person by lying to them. The most important feature of the crime of slander is that it is committed with intent. In other words, the person who slanders must commit this crime knowing that the words he/she says are not true.
Penalty for the Crime of Slander
The crime of slander and its penalty are regulated in Article 267 of the TCK. Accordingly, the person who commits the crime of simple slander is punished with imprisonment from 1 to 4 years. However, there are also qualified cases of slander. In these cases, the penalty is more severe.
Qualified Slander Crimes:
Slandering by fabricating material evidence: If the person who slanders fabricates evidence that seems to prove the crime but is not true, the penalty is increased by half.
Causing the victim to be sentenced to prison: If the victim is sentenced to prison as a result of slander, the penalty can be up to 3 to 7 years in prison.
Reporting to the authorities: A person who reports a crime that he knows was not committed to the authorities as if it was committed is also considered to have committed the crime of slander.
Legal Consequences Arising from the Crime of Slander
People who are subject to the crime of slander can seek their rights within the framework of both criminal law and compensation law. While ensuring that the perpetrator is punished with a criminal case, they can also request compensation for the material and moral damages they have suffered with a compensation case.
Our Recommendations as Özkök Law Firm
Gathering Evidence: One of the most important issues in the crime of slander is proving the crime. Therefore, those who are slandered must meticulously collect all evidence.
Getting Legal Help: Slander cases are quite complex processes. Therefore, getting legal help from an expert lawyer in this regard is of great importance for protecting your rights.
Statute of Limitations: There is a certain statute of limitations for slander crimes. If this period expires, the right to file a lawsuit may be waived. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the periods.
