Crime of Incitement to Suicide

For the crime of inciting suicide to occur, the suicide itself does not need to result in death. In other words, for the perpetrator to be prosecuted for inciting suicide, it is not necessary for the suicide attempt to result in death.

Elements of the crime of incitement to suicide

While the act of committing suicide is considered an aggravated offense, the alternative acts constituting the crime of incitement to suicide are listed as follows under Article 84 of the Turkish Penal Code :

• Incitement to suicide: Inducing a person who has no suicidal thoughts to decide to commit suicide.
• Suicidal tendencies: Creating suicidal thoughts in a person and then acting in a way that supports those thoughts.
• Reinforcing the decision to commit suicide: Encouraging the individual by bringing to the forefront previously suppressed suicidal thoughts.
• Assisting in suicide: All actions supporting suicide, other than those mentioned above, are considered acts of assisting suicide.

The punishment for the crime of incitement to suicide

The penalties for the crime of inciting suicide, as defined in Article 84 of the Turkish Penal Code, are as follows:

• who incites, encourages, strengthens another person's decision to commit suicide, or
  assists another person in any way in committing suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment from 2 to 5 years.
• If suicide occurs, the person is punished with imprisonment ranging from 4 to 10 years.
• A person who publicly encourages others to commit suicide shall be punished with imprisonment for 3 to 8 years.
• Those who incite suicide in individuals whose ability to understand the meaning and consequences of their actions is underdeveloped or has been eliminated, as well as those who force individuals to commit suicide through coercion or threats, are held liable for the crime of intentional homicide.

Complaint and statute of limitations in the crime of incitement to suicide

This type of crime is not subject to complaint. Therefore, there is no complaint period. The statute of limitations for the basic form of incitement to suicide is 8 years. In the aggravated forms of the crime, the statute of limitations is 15 years.

competent court for the crime of incitement to suicide

The competent court to try the crime of incitement to suicide is the criminal court of first instance.

You can consult with Attorney Ferhat Kule to get answers to all the details and questions you may have