Forgery of private documents is a crime regulated in Article 207 of the Turkish Penal Code. This crime is committed by creating a private document that does not actually exist or by forging an existing private document. A private document is any document that is not issued by a public official but has legal consequences. For example, documents such as diploma, rental agreement, promissory note, power of attorney are special documents.
It is important to note that the crime of forgery of private documents is not a complaint-based crime. Therefore, even if you are not a victim of this crime, you can file a complaint with the competent authorities if you see or hear that a crime is being committed.
You can apply to the following authorities to complain about the crime of forgery of private documents:
Public Prosecutor’s Office: If you have evidence that a crime has been committed, you can file a complaint by applying to the nearest Public Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s office will initiate the necessary investigation upon your complaint.
Police Department: If you have evidence that a crime has been committed, you can file a complaint by applying to the nearest police station or police headquarters. Police authorities will initiate the necessary investigation upon your complaint.
Gendarmerie: If you have evidence that a crime has been committed, you can file a complaint by applying to the nearest gendarmerie station or gendarmerie command. Gendarmerie officials will initiate the necessary investigation upon your complaint.
To file a complaint for forgery of private documents, it is useful to prepare the following information:
Evidence that the crime was committed (e.g. forged documents, witness statements)
Identity information of the victim and the perpetrator
Place and time where the crime was committed
How the crime was committed
Following your complaint, the necessary investigation will be initiated by the authorities. As a result of the investigation, a public lawsuit may be filed against the perpetrator.
Punishment for the crime of forgery of private documents:
The penalty for forgery of private documents is imprisonment from one to three years and a judicial fine of up to five thousand days.
Additional information about the blog post:
The blog post may include information about the definition, elements and punishment of the crime of forgery of private documents.
Information regarding the rights of victims and witnesses of the crime may also be included in the blog post.
Things that can be done to protect against the crime of forgery of private documents may also be included in the blog post.