The Ministry of Justice has established courts at the Istanbul and Antalya airports, allowing for the quick processing of detained individuals before they are taken to court. Suspects with arrest warrants at Antalya Airport are apprehended by security forces while passing through the security areas. These suspects are then taken to the court located within the airport to appear before a judge. Through the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBIS), suspects are able to provide their statements in front of the judge who issued the arrest warrant, enabling them to avoid missing their flights if released.
Antalya Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Adnan Tabar stated that individuals with arrest warrants issued by courts or prosecutors have been identified at the airport and taken to court by law enforcement. Following their appearance before the issuing authority, they are sometimes released and other times face further delays for additional processes. Tabar emphasized the challenges faced by individuals who miss their flights and have to purchase new tickets due to long processing times. To address these issues, a new center has been established at the Antalya and Istanbul airports, where 201 individuals with arrest warrants have had their cases swiftly processed since August 5.
Tabar noted that the court operates on weekdays and weekends from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, with two staff members providing services. Described as an additional service building of the Antalya Courthouse, the court utilizes the National Judiciary Informatics System to connect with courts in Antalya and other provinces through the SEGBIS system. This system is used for individuals of Turkish or foreign nationality with arrest warrants issued nationwide with a focus on saving time. Previously, suspects had to be taken to the courthouse by law enforcement upon identification at the airport, causing delays with the busy Antalya Airport leading to frequent trips back and forth.
Tabar explained that there have been instances where individuals missed the opportunity to provide their statement or could not be located by the court, resulting in arrest warrants being issued. This led to the inconvenience of missing flights and having to purchase new tickets for many travelers and citizens, particularly during the summer months. The establishment of the court has not only saved time but also provided economic benefits, as individuals no longer face the burden of missing their flights and incurring additional expenses due to the quick processing of their cases. Tabar expressed gratitude to the State Airports Regional Directorate for their support in the allocation and preparation of the court.
