New Penal Code Cracks Down on Buyers of Stolen Goods

Changes in the Turkish penal code mean that consumers buying stolen goods will no longer be able to claim innocence by simply saying "I did not know." The new penal code that comes into effect as of April 1. will have the power to sentence purchasers of stole goods to a minimum of six-months imprisonment.

The crime of buying stolen goods, regulated at the moment by Article-512 with a minimum punishment of seven days will be raised to six months according to the new Article-165. In both codes, the maximum sentence remains at three-years imprisonment.