Extraordinary Airport Tax

 türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 21 June 2018)


                             Up, up and away!

A businessman who has invested in Turkmenistan was caught at
Atatürk Airport with $245,000, but claimed that he was bringing the
money to Turkmenistan to pay workers there.  Since he tried
to take foreign currency out of Turkey secretly, though, half of the
money was taken by the government as a penalty (!).

In response, the businessman filed a suit to reclaim the money but
the court found that the penalty was justified.  An appeal to the
Constitutional Court by the businessman proved fruitless, as well.
According to Turkish law, at present, an individual can take no
more than 10,000 Euros, or equivalent, out of Turkey.

Orhan Gürel, the businessman, has construction interests in
Turkmenistan, along with selling medical and orthopedic
products.  On 22 July 2014, Gürel was about to board a flight
to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, from Atatürk Airport when police
checked his suitcase and found $245,000.  As a result, and
according to Turkish law, Gürel was fined $122,500 (!).

Gürel objected to the fine and waged a long but fruitless
legal battle, ending with the decision against him by the
Turkish Constitutional Court.


Invest in Turkmenistan! (if you can find it.)