Ankara Akyurt Removal Center: Process, Rights, Appeals, and Legal Assistance

The Akyurt Removal Center operates within the borders of Ankara province under the authority of the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM), affiliated with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey.
Foreign nationals taken into administrative detention in the capital are generally transferred to this center.

In addition to Ankara, nearby provinces such as Kırıkkale, Kırşehir, and Kayseri also have removal centers; however, Akyurt Removal Center is among the most active facilities in Central Anatolia.

1) Who Is Transferred to Akyurt Removal Center? From Which Units?

Under the coordination of the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, foreign nationals apprehended in Ankara and surrounding districts are generally transferred to Akyurt Removal Center.

Persons detained by law enforcement authorities (police, gendarmerie, coast guard) must be taken to the appropriate removal center within 48 hours, as required by Article 57 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP / YUKK).

Legal Basis:

Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law No. 6458) Article 57:
“Foreigners under an administrative detention order shall be taken to removal centers by the law enforcement unit that apprehended them within 48 hours.”

In practice:

• Foreigners detained in central Ankara districts (Çankaya, Altındağ, Keçiören, Yenimahalle, Mamak, Etimesgut, Sincan, etc.) are usually transferred to Akyurt Removal Center.
• Those detained in nearby provinces may be sent to Kırıkkale or Kayseri centers.
• Allocation depends on capacity and security planning by the Migration Directorate.

2) Why Are Foreigners Held in Removal Centers?

If a foreign national is subject to a deportation order or the “voluntary departure” process cannot be applied, they are detained under administrative supervision at the Akyurt Removal Center.

Grounds for Deportation (LFIP Article 54):

• Membership in a terrorist organization or criminal network
• Threat to public order, public security, or public health
• Violation of visa or residence permit terms
• Illegal entry into or exit from Turkey
• Using forged or false documents
• Illegal employment or assisting human smuggling
• Rejected international protection (asylum) applications
• Foreigners who have served criminal sentences under Turkish law

Duration of administrative detention:
The standard period is 6 months, extendable by another 6 months if deemed necessary (maximum 12 months).

3) Services Provided at Akyurt Removal Center

• Accommodation & Healthcare: Basic living needs such as food, cleaning, and medical care are provided.
• Access to Lawyers and Relatives: Detainees have the right to confidential meetings with their lawyers and can contact consular or international representatives.
• Phone Access: Detainees can call their families, lawyers, or consulates via the center’s telecommunication system.
• Clothing & Personal Needs: Families may deliver clothes or hygiene items according to the center’s rules.
• Prayer Facilities: Separate sections for men, women, and children include prayer and worship areas.

4) How Does the Akyurt Removal Center Process Work?

Apprehension: The foreign national is detained by police or gendarmerie and reported to the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Transfer: Within 48 hours, the person is transferred to the appropriate center (e.g., Akyurt).
Admission and Evaluation: Identity verification, medical screening, and file assessment are conducted; travel and documentation procedures begin.
Administrative Detention: The person’s situation (risk of absconding, public safety, document status, etc.) is evaluated; detention or alternative measures under Article 57/A may be applied.
Voluntary Departure / Alternative Measures: If suitable, signature obligations, address notification, or restrictions on leaving certain districts may be imposed instead of detention.
Right to File a Lawsuit: The right to challenge the deportation or detention decision must be exercised within 7 days of notification or admission. Filing a lawsuit suspends deportation.
Deportation Implementation: If no lawsuit is filed or the court rejects the case, deportation proceeds once the country of return and travel documents are arranged.

5) What Should Relatives of Detainees at Akyurt Removal Center Do?

• Act quickly: The 7-day litigation period is crucial.
• Seek legal assistance: Appeals against administrative detention and deportation orders require expert handling.
• Prepare documents: Provide the lawyer with passports, IDs, residence permits, proof of family ties, employment or health records, and other supporting evidence.
• Deliveries and visitation: Learn the current delivery and visitation policies (days, times, and restrictions).
• Medical and special needs: Report chronic illnesses, pregnancy, or disability immediately with medical documentation (reports/epicrises).

6) Legal Remedies and Time Limits

Appeal Against Administrative Detention

• Authority: Ankara Criminal Courts of Peace
• Procedure: The appeal is submitted by petition; the judge decides within 5 days.
• Outcome: The decision is final (no further appeal on the same matter).

Lawsuit Against Deportation Order

• Authority: Ankara Administrative Courts
• Deadline: 7 days from notification.
• Effect: Filing automatically suspends deportation.

Alternative Measures (LFIP Article 57/A)

• Scope: Within a 6 + 6 month period, the Migration Directorate may impose signature obligations, residence restrictions, or address notification requirements.
• Modification: These obligations can be lifted or modified if circumstances change.
• Enforcement: Failure to comply may result in renewed administrative detention.

7) Notes About Akyurt Removal Center

• It is one of the largest removal centers in the Ankara region.
• Separate sections exist for men, women, and children.
• The facility includes healthcare units, worship areas, and social spaces.
• Visiting hours vary; contact the Ankara Provincial Migration Directorate or YİMER 157 hotline before visiting.

8) Contact Information

Address:
Akyurt Removal Center, Balıkhisar Neighborhood, Akyurt / ANKARA

Migration Communication Center (YİMER 157):
24/7 multilingual emergency and information line operated by the Directorate General of Migration Management.

9) Conclusion and Recommendations

The Akyurt Removal Center process involves overlapping procedures of administrative detention and deportation, requiring careful legal follow-up.

During this process:

• The 7-day appeal period must not be missed,
• All legal applications should be filed through a qualified lawyer,
• All documents must be submitted completely and promptly.

Timely legal action and communication are crucial to prevent unlawful deportation.

10) Legal Assistance

If your relative is detained at the Akyurt Removal Center or if a deportation procedure has been initiated, it is essential to work with a lawyer specialized in foreigners and migration law.

Keleş Law & Consultancy Office provides professional legal support regarding:

• Obtaining information about detainees in Akyurt Removal Center,
• Filing appeals against administrative detention,
• Filing lawsuits against deportation orders,
• Requests for voluntary departure or alternative measures.

 Phone: +90 551 939 66 88
 Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Ankara Akyurt Removal Center (FAQ)

1. Where is Akyurt Removal Center located?
It is located in Balıkhisar Neighborhood, Akyurt District, Ankara. The center operates under the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, affiliated with the Ministry of Interior.
Address: Balıkhisar Mahallesi, Akyurt / ANKARA

2. From which police stations are foreigners sent to Akyurt?
Foreigners apprehended throughout Ankara are typically sent to Akyurt Removal Center.
Those detained in Çankaya, Altındağ, Keçiören, Yenimahalle, Mamak, Etimesgut, Sincan, Pursaklar, Polatlı, Kazan, and Elmadağ are usually directed there.
There is no official “station–center list”; assignments depend on DGMM’s logistical and capacity planning.

3. Why are foreigners held in removal centers?
Foreign nationals under deportation or unable to depart voluntarily are detained under administrative supervision.
According to Articles 54 and 57 of the LFIP, reasons include threats to public order/safety, visa violations, false documents, or risk of absconding.

4. How long can a person stay in Akyurt Removal Center?
Administrative detention lasts 6 months, extendable to 12 months.
The person has the right to file a lawsuit within 7 days of admission; filing suspends deportation.
If no case is filed, the 6-month period continues, and deportation proceeds after completion.

5. What are the living conditions like?
The center provides:

• Accommodation, meals, cleaning, and emergency healthcare
• Clothing and hygiene support (by family or the facility)
• Common areas and an on-site health unit
  Men, women, and children are housed separately.

6. Can detainees meet with their lawyers?
Yes. Detainees can meet privately and confidentially with their lawyers and contact consular representatives.

7. What should families do if a relative is in Akyurt Removal Center?

• Contact the Ankara Migration Directorate or the center directly.
• Have a lawyer follow the case and obtain information.
• Provide passports, IDs, residence permits, family documents, etc.
• Act within the 7-day deadline to avoid deportation.

8. Are healthcare services available?
Yes. The center includes a medical unit; emergency cases are transferred to the nearest hospital.
Special needs of women, children, elderly, and disabled persons are prioritized.

9. Can clothing or food be delivered from outside?
Yes, but deliveries must comply with security and management rules.
Families and NGOs can provide clothes, hygiene items, and food, subject to inspection.

10. Are children accommodated there?
Yes. Families are housed together whenever possible.
Unaccompanied minors are placed in child support centers under the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

11. How can a deportation order be appealed?
A lawyer must file a lawsuit within 7 days at Ankara Administrative Courts.
Filing the case automatically suspends deportation.

12. How can an administrative detention order be appealed?
The lawyer applies to the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace (Sulh Ceza Hakimliği).
The judge decides within 5 days; the decision is final.

13. Can detainees contact their families?
Yes. They can use the center’s telephones to reach family, lawyer, or consulate, and receive visitors during set hours.
(Always confirm current visiting rules with the center.)

14. Can consulates or international organizations visit?
Yes. The UNHCR and relevant consular or NGO representatives may visit and monitor the facility.

15. How does release or deportation take place?
The DGMM evaluates the country’s acceptance status, document availability, and court process.
During lawsuits, Article 57/A alternative measures (e.g., signature duty) may be imposed instead of detention.

16. What is the capacity and operation of Akyurt Removal Center?
Independent reports indicate a capacity of around 750 persons, with separate sections for men, women, and children.
(Official capacity and operations may vary; contact the Ankara Migration Directorate for updated details.)

17. What are the visiting hours?
Visiting days and hours may vary.
Confirm with Akyurt Removal Center or YİMER 157 before your visit.

18. Are religious needs accommodated?
Yes. There are prayer and worship areas, and religious freedom is respected under the center’s regulations.

19. Can relatives from abroad visit?
Yes, provided they have a valid visa or residence permit for Turkey.
They must contact the center beforehand to confirm approval and conditions.