Up to 4 mln liras to be given to informants on terror acts

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

AFP photo

People who denounce the perpetrators of acts of terrorism could be awarded up to 4 million Turkish Liras, according to a new regulation that was published in the Official Gazette.

People who inform on suspects whose acts fall within the anti-terror law could be awarded with various amounts of money totaling up to 4 million liras as part of an Interior Ministry regulation that went into effect on Aug. 31. 

Both Turkish citizens and foreigners will be eligible to receive the money if they help catch or inform on the identities or locations of perpetrators of terror acts, provided they do not participate in committing the act. 

The regulation aims to increase the efficiency in apprehending terror suspects. 

The awards will be decided upon by an Award Commission that will be headed and led by the Interior Ministry deputy undersecretary, and will include three members each from the Police Department and the Gendarmerie Forces. The six members from the security forces will be selected from among high-ranking officers who have previously discharged duties at anti-terror branches. 

The amount of money that will be given to informants will vary depending on the information given, the crime and the suspect in question.

The amount cannot exceed 200,000 liras for each piece of information or crime reported. However, the amount can be increased up to 20 times the upper limit – 4 million liras – if the information pertains to a suspect who is a senior-level administrator in a terrorist organization or if the denunciation pertains to a criminal act that would have a nationwide effect. Awards greater than 200,000 liras may be bestowed upon a suggestion by the Award Commission and the approval of the Interior Ministry. 

If one person gives information on multiple acts or people, the award for each of these denunciations will be evaluated separately by the commission and will be subject to separate awards, as long as the information is deemed necessary by the commission. 

While people need to request that they be given an award for the information, their identities will be kept confidential. 

Recipients cannot be current or former personnel of the Turkish security forces or intelligence services, or a civil servant which has been engaged in anti-terror operations. 

Village guards, as long as they are not engaged in terror acts, can receive the award in line with the regulation. 

The awards and necessary expenses will be paid from an allowance granted to the Interior Ministry, while the awards will be given to people by governor’s offices as defined by the commission.