Top Turkish court revokes right of financial crimes board to request all kinds of data

Turkey’s Constitutional Court has revoked the right of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) to request all kinds of information and documents from individuals and organizations.

Tuesday March 01 2022 02:27 pm

Duvar English

A ruling by Turkey’s Constitutional Court has determined that the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) does not have the right to request all kinds of documents and information from individuals and organizations, according to reporting by DW Turkish.

The case came about as a result of an application by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which viewed the practice as unconstitutional.

MASAK was given the right to “request all kinds of information and documents from public institutions and organizations, real and legal persons and organizations without legal status” by a Presidential decree on August 6, 2019.

The court agreed with the CHP, ruling that such requests include personal data and the mandate for MASAK is too broad. The court further determined that there was no effective mechanism in place to protect the personal information and data of those being investigated.

In the same session, the court also ruled that the speaker of the parliament does not have the right to choose whatever vehicle he likes for personal use.