Statement from the General Directorate of Security on 'jammers': 'Use by municipalities is not legal'

The luggage images captured on security cameras during the entry of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his entourage into a hotel have sparked public debate.

CHP figures had stated that the suitcases contained jammer devices, a claim that caused widespread repercussions. Following the escalation of the debate, the General Directorate of Security issued a written statement providing detailed information on the matter.

In the statement issued by the General Directorate of Security, the legal framework for the use of jammers was clearly set out. The statement included the following:

"It has been deemed appropriate to make the following statement regarding the usage procedures and criminal sanctions for frequency jammers (jammers) that appeared in some media outlets on 27.04.2025.

Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Electronic Communications Law No. 5809 stipulates that the Turkish Armed Forces, the Gendarmerie General Command, the Coast Guard Command, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Telecommunications Communication Presidency, the National Intelligence Organization, and the General Directorate of Security, whose areas of duty are determined by relevant Presidential Decrees, may use frequency jammers (jammers) within the scope of their duties to ensure public order and national security."

In the security statement, it was specifically emphasized that municipalities are not among these institutions. The statement said, "Mayors and municipalities are not among the persons, institutions, and organizations that can use frequency jammers (jammers) within the scope of Law No. 5809."

Furthermore, it was stated that the use of frequency jammers by unauthorized persons and institutions to disrupt communications constitutes a crime under Article 124 of the Turkish Penal Code.

The General Directorate of Security also noted that no training regarding the use of jammer devices has been provided to the protection units serving within its own structure, stating that the institution does not conduct an official training process on this subject.

News Source: 12punto