Prosecution and crime
Article 170 and the drafting of an indictment
Article 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code gives the task of opening the public case to the public prosecutor. If, at the end of the investigation, the evidence that was gathered creates sufficient suspicion that the offence was committed, the prosecutor drafts an indictment. What is written inside the indictment is in the official text. Its being served is a separate record.
Sufficient suspicion is not a conviction. An indictment is not read like the operative part of a judgment. The role of defendant is the name of the stage after the indictment is accepted. This page does not write an acceptance decision.
The suspect’s identity, the defence lawyer and the elements of the offence are among the headings in the official text. An identity number is not put on this form. An evidence list is not pasted here either.
On 14 November 2026 this article heading was read in the official consolidated text. The wording was not carried here.
This page does not replace the official text.
Official source
Next step
Questions
Is an indictment a conviction?
No. An indictment is the paper drafted to open the public case on sufficient suspicion.
Are drafting and serving the same?
No. Service is the separate record that the indictment was notified to the addressee.
Last legislation check: 2026-11-13. Av. Ayşenur Konar.