Businesses selling counterfeit alcohol will have their licenses revoked.

The measures taken by the Istanbul Governorship to combat poisoning and death cases caused by the use of illegal or counterfeit alcohol are being increased through inspections. The governorship announced that new regulations have been introduced with a circular it published.

MANDATORY VIDEO RECORDING

In a written statement, the governorship reminded that 110 people were poisoned and 48 lost their lives due to counterfeit alcohol in 2024. With the circular published on October 10, 2024, a requirement for 24-hour uninterrupted and high-quality video recording has been imposed on businesses selling alcohol.

LICENSES OF BUSINESSES SELLING COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL WILL BE REVOKED

Additionally, with the circular published on January 10, 2025, the sanctions on businesses selling counterfeit or illegal alcohol have been increased. With the new circular; businesses that sell illegal or counterfeit alcohol and cause death as a result, those determined to be selling illegal or counterfeit alcohol through inspections, those without a sales and presentation certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Tobacco and Alcohol Department, and businesses that present and sell alcohol openly outside the area designated by the relevant municipal council based on the opinion of the Provincial Administrative Authority regarding general security and public order, except for the exceptions in special laws, will have their business opening and operating licenses revoked in addition to administrative actions.

CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS WILL BE FILED

In the statement made by the governorship, it was stated, "The revocation process will be carried out in coordination with the administrative units authorized to issue licenses, and law enforcement will continue their inspections related to the matter without interruption. All administrative unit managers, especially provincial administrative authorities and mayors, are obliged to implement the provisions of the circular, and in case of detection of contrary situations, administrative actions will be taken against the responsible parties in accordance with the provisions of the current legislation, and criminal complaints will be filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices."