{"id":2656,"date":"2026-01-26T16:13:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T13:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/?p=2656"},"modified":"2026-09-17T21:55:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T18:55:56","slug":"tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Crime of Abandonment under TCK Article 97?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Ba\u015fl\u0131klar<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/#TCK_97nin_Korudugu_Hukuki_Deger_Nedir\" >What is the Legal Interest Protected by TCK Article 97?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/#TCK_97_Terk_Sucunun_Sartlari_Unsurlari\" >Conditions (Elements) of the Crime of Abandonment under TCK Article 97<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/#TCK_97_Terk_Sucunun_Cezasi_Nedir\" >What is the Penalty for the Crime of Abandonment under TCK Article 97?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/#TCK_97_ile_TCK_98_Arasindaki_Fark_Nedir\" >What is the Difference Between TCK Article 97 and TCK Article 98?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/tck-97-terk-sucu-nedir\/#Sikca_Sorulan_Sorular_SSS\" >Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TCK 97 crime of abandonment<\/strong>, due to age or illness&nbsp;<strong>unable to protect themselves<\/strong>&nbsp;and therefore someone's&nbsp;<strong>under the protection and supervision<\/strong>&nbsp;by the person under obligation, of the person found&nbsp;<strong>being left to their own devices<\/strong>&nbsp;is the crime that occurs in such cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The important point here is this: The law does not interpret the act of \"abandonment\" narrowly as merely leaving someone physically in a place. In practice, \"abandonment\" means&nbsp;<strong>deprived of protection<\/strong>&nbsp;rendering them in such a state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TCK_97nin_Korudugu_Hukuki_Deger_Nedir\"><\/span><strong>What is the Legal Interest Protected by TCK Article 97?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The purpose of TCK Article 97 is, in particular,&nbsp;<strong>to protect vulnerable individuals<\/strong>&nbsp;. In this context:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>the elderly<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>the sick<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>individuals who cannot sustain their lives independently due to serious health issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">it is aimed to prevent such groups from being put in danger by persons under a legal duty of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TCK_97_Terk_Sucunun_Sartlari_Unsurlari\"><\/span><strong>Conditions (Elements) of the Crime of Abandonment under TCK Article 97<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who Can Be a Victim?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Article 97 of the TCK, the victim is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>their age<\/strong>\u00a0or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>their illness<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">due to&nbsp;<strong>in a condition unable to manage themselves<\/strong>&nbsp;it should be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The concept of \"being unable to manage oneself\" herein is evaluated separately in each specific case. Situations such as the individual's inability to meet daily living needs independently, inability to protect themselves due to health reasons, or inability to escape from dangers may come into question within this scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who Can Be a Perpetrator?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regarding the crime of abandonment under Article 97 of the TCK, the perpetrator is the person who has&nbsp;<strong>duty of care and supervision<\/strong>&nbsp;over the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This obligation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>arising from the law<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., family relationship, custody\/guardianship),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>from a contract<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., care agreements),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>from a natural duty of loyalty<\/strong>\u00a0(in practice, de facto intra-family care relationships),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or\u00a0<strong>from a de facto situation<\/strong>\u00a0(care for the person may have been assumed de facto)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">may arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Does \u201cAbandoning to One's Fate\u201d Mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAbandoning to one's fate\u201d refers to a situation where a person, despite being required to be under protection,&nbsp;<strong>is left unprotected<\/strong>is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leaving an elderly person in need of care locked at home and alone for a long time,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaving a patient discharged from the hospital on the street without ensuring their safe care,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abandoning a person in need of care without providing for their basic needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">such situations may be evaluated under Article 97 of the TCK depending on the specific circumstances of the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the Crime of Abandonment Committed Intentionally?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Article 97 of the TCK is treated in practice as a \"specific intent crime.\" In other words, the perpetrator is expected to act knowingly and willfully, leaving the victim defenseless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the assessment of intent varies for each incident. If there are claims such as \"necessity,\" \"suddenly developing event,\" or \"transfer of obligation,\" they are examined separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TCK_97_Terk_Sucunun_Cezasi_Nedir\"><\/span><strong>What is the Penalty for the Crime of Abandonment under TCK Article 97?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Penalty under TCK Article 97\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Article 97\/1 of the TCK, the penalty for the basic form of the crime of abandonment is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Imprisonment from 3 months to 2 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the primary penalty imposed upon the realization of the act of \"abandonment\"; moreover, it is not a requirement that the victim suffers actual harm. However, the specific characteristics of the case may affect the determination of the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TCK Article 97\/2: What Happens If the Consequences Become More Severe?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Victim due to abandonment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>if falls ill<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>if is injured<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or\u00a0<strong>if dies<\/strong>,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">the law states \u201c<strong>offense aggravated by its result<\/strong>\u201d that it may entail more severe consequences pursuant to the provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This paragraph ensures that if the act of abandonment produces a more severe consequence on the victim, criminal liability is aggravated accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TCK_97_ile_TCK_98_Arasindaki_Fark_Nedir\"><\/span><strong>What is the Difference Between TCK Article 97 and TCK Article 98?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two regulations most frequently confused in practice are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>TCK 97 (Abandonment)<\/strong>: The perpetrator has a\u00a0<strong>duty of protection and supervision<\/strong>\u00a0over the victim. The obligated person \u201cleaves to their own fate\u201d the person in need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>TCK 98 (Failure to Fulfill the Obligation to Help or Report)<\/strong>: Even if the perpetrator has no special duty of care, towards a person unable to manage themselves\u00a0<strong>does not help<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>fails to report the condition<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In brief: TCK Article 97 can be considered as \"abandonment by a person under a duty of care\", and TCK Article 98 as \"failure to render assistance\/report in a general sense\" (evaluation may vary depending on the specific case).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sikca_Sorulan_Sorular_SSS\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the crime of abandonment under TCK 97 subject to a complaint?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigative procedure nature of TCK 97 (whether subject to complaint or ex officio) is evaluated based on the specific case and practice. Since the general aim is to protect vulnerable individuals, investigative authorities may get involved upon learning of the incident. For the most reliable assessment, consulting a criminal lawyer with all the details of the case is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does leaving an elderly person alone for a short time constitute an offense under TCK 97?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every \"leaving alone\" automatically constitutes an offense under TCK 97. Critical criteria in practice are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>whether the person is able to manage themselves,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the duration of the abandonment,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the safety of the environment in which they are left,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether the perpetrator actually has a duty of protection and supervision,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether a danger arises for the victim<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">such elements. An evaluation of the specific case is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How is the \"obligation of care and supervision\" proven under TCK Article 97?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This obligation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>such as family relations\/guardianship\u00a0<strong>legal ties<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>such as a care agreement\u00a0<strong>written documents<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>demonstrating that de facto care has been undertaken\u00a0<strong>witnesses, cameras, records, messages<\/strong>\u00a0can be proven with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What happens if the victim dies as a result of abandonment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pursuant to Article 97\/2 of the TCK, if death occurs due to abandonment, the provisions on \"offenses aggravated by their result\" come into play. In this case, criminal liability and legal qualification may entail more severe consequences depending on all the circumstances of the incident (causation, fault, foreseeability, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Must the victim necessarily suffer harm within the scope of Article 97 of the TCK?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. For the basic form of the crime under Article 97\/1 of the TCK, the occurrence of the act of \"abandonment to one's own fate\" is sufficient. If consequences such as harm, illness, injury, or death occur, Article 97\/2 of the TCK may apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Atty. Bat\u0131n YILMAZ <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TCK 97 terk su\u00e7u, ya\u015f\u0131 veya hastal\u0131\u011f\u0131 nedeniyle&nbsp;kendisini koruyamayan&nbsp;ve bu nedenle birinin&nbsp;koruma ve g\u00f6zetimi alt\u0131nda&nbsp;bulunan ki\u015finin, y\u00fck\u00fcml\u00fc ki\u015fi taraf\u0131ndan&nbsp;kendi h\u00e2line b\u0131rak\u0131lmas\u0131&nbsp;durumunda olu\u015fan su\u00e7tur. Burada \u00f6nemli olan nokta \u015fudur: Kanun, \u201cterk\u201d fiilini yaln\u0131zca fiziksel olarak bir yerde b\u0131rakmak \u015feklinde dar yorumlamaz. Uygulamada \u201cterk\u201d, ki\u015finin&nbsp;korumadan yoksun&nbsp;hale getirilmesi anlam\u0131na gelir. TCK 97\u2019nin Korudu\u011fu Hukuki De\u011fer Nedir? TCK 97\u2019nin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[362,363],"class_list":["post-2656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ceza-hukuku","tag-tck-97","tag-terk-sucu-nedir"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2656"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2656\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2658,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2656\/revisions\/2658"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/batinyilmaz.av.tr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}