Didim Today

Military service is a very touchy issue in Turkey. “Has your son completed his military service?” was the most popular question directed to a young man’s family when visiting a potential bride’s parents. It is still a popular question. It should be at the top of the list.

I haven’t written about military service-related matters for a while, and I just received a question about this matter. The email reads as follows: “Dear Berk Bey, I was wondering if you could help me. My husband is a dual citizen who is 40 years of age. He has not done his military service. We would like to take our children to Turkey for a holiday; however, we are unsure if this is possible.

My question is -– can he enter the country for a holiday (for 5 weeks) if he hasn’t done his military service? I know one option in the past was to renounce his citizenship; however, we have rung the consulate and were advised that we’d be wasting our time and that his file will just sit in a pile. Could you please advise us how we can go to Turkey for a holiday and feel assured that he won’t be taken to do military service? Thank you very much in advance.”

I asked a couple of questions to the sender of this email in order to have a clearer picture. My questions and responses: “Dear reader, I would like to ask a few questions regarding your husband. First, what is his other nationality? Second, has he ever postponed his military service or has he done anything about it so far? Finally, has your husband received any notices (verbal or written) from the military enlistment services?”

The response to my email: “Thank you so much for the email. The other nationality is English. His military service was postponed back in 1989 up until 2001. He has done nothing about it since. He recalls that on several occasions the Jandarma contacted his grandmother concerning his whereabouts. This happened approximately in 1994-96. Thank you again for your help.”

According to Article 12 of the Law on Military Service (No. 1111), those eligible for military service who have completed their registration obligations but do not appear at the right time for examination are considered to be draft evaders. Those who do not appear for examination generally receive a reminder from the military registration office after about three months. If they still haven’t reported or are arrested before the call-up date for those who underwent examination in the same year, in accordance with Articles 84 and 85 of the law, they are subject to an administrative penalty in the form of a fine.

Those who evade military service are registered with the military staff and in the national information system, GBTS. Hence, in routine checks, such as border checks and cases of arrest throughout the country, it can be ascertained whether a person is wanted for evasion of military service. At the local level, too, there are lists of people who have evaded military service. Periodically, these lists are sent by the Directorate for the Admission of Conscripts at the Ministry of Defense to local military registration offices. As a rule the lists are sent after a certain delay to give the conscripts the possibility of turning themselves in.

In this respect, it is highly possible that your husband will be taken to do military service when he enters Turkey.

However, if your husband would like to keep his citizenship but eliminate his military service obligation, the best thing to do would be to apply for military service by payment. Turkish citizens who have worked outside Turkey for at least three consecutive years are able to complete their military service in 21 days in exchange for a sum of money. Some of these people, who are in the same situation as your husband, successfully complete their 21 days without any problems.

No legal prosecution for the crimes of hiding, being absent without leave or failure to report (for military service) will be made against those who avail themselves of the arrangements of the law. Actually they leave with good memories of meeting many people in the same position from all over the world.

The amount of money to be paid for 21-day military service is:

a) 5,112 euros through the age of 38

b) 7,668 euros for those who are older than 38.

Berk Cektir http://www.berkcektir.av.tr/ The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner. http://www.todayszaman.com/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it