82,244-lira fine for sharing alcohol images on social media: Legal experts say 'it's not a crime'

Quick summary

Citizens in Istanbul who shared images of alcoholic beverages on social media were fined 82 thousand 244 liras. Legal experts say these fines do not constitute a crime in the sense of criminal law and should be evaluated under freedom of expression.

Why it matters

You can be unexpectedly penalized due to your social media posts: this amount equals two months' income for a person earning minimum wage. Although the legal framework is unclear, similar sanctions continue to be applied by RTÜK and police departments.

Key takeaways

• ›Citizens sharing alcohol images on social media face administrative fines of 82,244 lira — roughly two months' minimum-wage income in Istanbul.
• ›Legal experts argue the fines have no basis in criminal law and that the content falls under constitutionally protected freedom of expression.
• ›Enforcement through RTÜK and provincial security directorates has continued despite identical legal objections raised in 2022.