"Heist & Release": After Massive Gold and Silver Theft in Istanbul, Courthouse Employee and Wife Fled to England

türkçe link to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 5 December 2025)

 

                      Sort of like shopping at COSCO.

Erdal Timurtaş arrived at the judicial depository at 7:40 a.m. on 

November 13th. Kilograms of gold and silver had been placed in the 

judicial depository following an operation conducted the previous month. 

Because he was a courthouse employee, Erdal Timurtaş's presence 

went unnoticed. Timurtaş opened the safe and placed 25 kilograms of 

gold and 50 kilograms of silver in a garbage bag. He loaded the gold 

and silver into a grocery cart used for transporting files and carried it 

to his vehicle in the parking lot.

The incident came to light on December 1, 2025, when the public 

prosecutor responsible for the Deposit Office of the Büyükçekmece 

Chief Public Prosecutor's Office discovered during a routine inspection 

that Timurtaş, who worked at the deposit office, had not been to work 

for a long time. Suspicious, the prosecutor had the deposit officer in 

charge, Kemal Demir, open the safes, where the keys were kept, and 

found them empty. 

                        Small potatoes, by comparison.

A detailed inventory revealed that 25 kg of gold (9,906 grams of gold, 

49 Reşat gold coins, 438 necklaces, 66 grams of earrings, 5 kilograms 

of gold bars, 7 gold bars, 167 full gold coins, 606 bracelets, 1 kilogram 

of 477-gram bracelets, 376 half gold coins, 1,328 quarter gold coins, 

40 Republic gold coins, 2,701 grams of various jewelry, 487 Ata gold 

coins, and 6 gremse gold coins) and 50 kg of silver, totaling 147 million 

lira, were missing. 

                            Vacationing in the UK. (!)

A detention warrant was issued for janitor Erdal Timurtaş and officer 

Kemal Demir, who were identified from camera recordings.  While 

Kemal Demir was taken into custody, it was determined that Erdal 

Timurtaş had fled to England with his wife and children at 8:22 a.m. 

on the morning of November 19, 2025. An arrest warrant was issued 

for Erdal Timurtaş and his wife, Esma Timurtaş. The Chief Public 

Prosecutor's Office also requested a red notice for Erdal Timurtaş

and his wife to the Ministry of Justice.

Kemal Demir, who was referred to the courthouse, stated in his 

statement to the prosecutor: "I reported the incident to the prosecutor 

responsible for the escrow. Everyone knows Erdal Timurtaş has 

gambling  debts. Erdal sent a message saying, 'Leave me alone, 

don't call, don't ask.' He then deleted the WhatsApp message. 

On December 1st, he sent another message to the group saying, 

'I sold the house. I separated from my wife.'" Demir was arrested 

on charges of embezzlement.

Erdal Timurtaş, who has worked at the Büyükçekmece Courthouse 

for approximately four years, is described by those around him as 

trustworthy (!), well-intentioned, and respectful. His wife, Esma 

Timurtaş, works as a Turkish teacher at a school very close to their 

home.

"(Heart) Beat & Release": Defibrilators Deployed For Carefree Strolling, in Ankara

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Milliyet Newspaper, 4 December 2025)

As you stroll, don't worry if your heart gives out...

A silent security network for the capital! Domestically produced

ASELSAN-designed AED (Automatic External Defibrilator) 

devices have been installed at 25 locations. 

Another critical step has been taken in Ankara to combat sudden 

cardiac arrest. The Governor's Office announced that domestically 

developed AED devices, developed in collaboration with ASELSAN 

and the  Ministry of Health, have been placed at 25 strategic locations 

in the capital. These devices, which analyze a patient's heart rhythm 

using a Turkish command system, will act as a life-saving 

"bridge of life" until an ambulance arrives.

The statement, which conveyed that the devices have been placed 

at 25 designated locations across the city in line with the plan 

and are now available to the public, included the statement: 

"ASELSAN's domestically produced AED devices analyze the 

patient's heart rhythm with a Turkish voice command system, 

deciding whether a shock is necessary for intervention, and acting 

as a lifeline that allows the patient to hold on to life until the 

ambulance team arrives at the scene."

...but maybe don't stop at McDonald's too often. 

As part of the project, launched with the slogan "When the heart 

stops, don't you stop; use AEDs," the devices have been installed 

at the following 25 locations:

"Başkent Millet Bahçesi (Capital Public Garden), Üreğil Millet 

Bahçesi (Ureğil Public Garden), Altınköy, Kızılay Karanfil Sokak 

(Karanfil Street), Sincan Park, Sincan Lale Square, Ahlatlıbel Atatürk 

Park, 30 Ağustos Zafer Park, Ulus Square, Botanical Park, under the 

Sıhhiye Bridge, Kızılay İzmir Caddesi, Kızılay Sakarya Caddesi, 

Kızılay Güvenpark, Gölbaşı Mogan Park, Tandoğan Square, Sincan 

Wonderland, Kurtuluş Park, Göksu Park, 50. Yıl Park, Batıkent Ali 

Dinçer Park, Altınpark, Esertepe Recreation Area, Demetevler Park, 

and Gazi Park (AOÇ/Atatürk Orman Çiftliği)."

"Fleece & Release": Soothsayer "Faladdin", Charged With Money Laundering, Bewitches Judge for Release

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 3 December 2025)

                             Star-mapper Faladdin...

The Money Laundering Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul 

Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against 

Sertaç Taşdelen, the owner of the mobile fortune-telling applications 

"Faladdin" and "Binnaz," which provide services in many areas such 

as fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, mediumship and star maps.

Taşdelen was taken into custody and arrested by the on-call judge. 

His assets were seized. The indictment sought a prison sentence of three

to seven years for Sertaç Taşdelen for "laundering assets derived from 

crime." It was alleged that Taşdelen engaged in fortune-telling and 

mediumship activities through mobile fortune-telling apps called 

"Faladdin" and "Binnaz," and that he generated criminal proceeds by 

establishing information systems to perpetrate these crimes and then 

transported these proceeds abroad.

Megastar Tarkan...the resemblance is uncanny.

However (!), appearing before the judge at the Istanbul Criminal 

Court of First  Instance, arrested defendant Sertaç Taşdelen stated 

in his defense: 

"I graduated from Bilkent University with honors. I founded a 

technology and software company in Turkey. We have a staff of 

approximately 40 engineers. We would never be able to launder money

here. My sole purpose is to produce in this country. I want to export 

technology and bring it to our country. I want my release."

The court ruled that Taşdelen be released under house arrest and 

judicial control. The hearing was adjourned to address any 

deficiencies.

Visit his used-car dealership when you have a chance.

"Fleece & Release": Social Media Influencer-Author - And Fugitive Wanted for Murder (!) - Nabbed in Adana

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 2 December 2025)

                 Hiding in plain sight...and then some!

Police identified Ramazan Evrensal, who wrote seven books and 

organized conferences under the name Ali Demir Evrensel, as 

Ramazan Evrensal, wanted for three cases, two of which involved 

murder, with a final sentence of 38 years and seven months. 

Evrensal, apprehended at his villa, was sent to prison.

Adana  Seyhan District Police Department Crime Prevention and

Investigation Bureau teams began monitoring a person using the 

handle Ali Demir Evrensel for posts intended to exploit public 

religious sentiments on social media. After checking the username, 

the team determined that no one by that name existed and, through 

a facial recognition check, identified the suspect as Ramazan Evrensal 

(49). 

When on the run, change more than one letter in your surname.

The General Information Collection (GBT) inquiry revealed that 

Evrensal was wanted for 36 years, 7 months, and 12 days for two 

murders in which he was involved in 2006, and for falsifying official 

documents with a final sentence of 2 years. It was also determined 

that the fugitive convict was wanted for charges of 'insult,' 'purchasing 

or possessing unlicensed weapons and ammunition,' and 'fraud.' (!)

Further investigating, police discovered that Ramazan Evrensal had 

written seven books under a false name and sold them online. 

It was also revealed that Evrensal had held book signings and 

conferences at various hotels in Adana, Mersin, Istanbul, Mardin, 

and Bursa over the past two years. Ramazan Evrensal's social media 

accounts demonstrated a large following. The cases filed against the 

suspect in connection with the murders were reportedly concluded 

in 2021, and the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the prison 

sentence.

As you take advice for life, consider the source.

Police teams discovered Ramazan Evrensal hiding in a villa in the 

Gülbahçe neighborhood. Seeing police conducting a raid on the 

address, Evransal jumped out a window at the back of the house 

and attempted to escape. Police deployed security forces in the 

area and apprehended the fugitive convict before he could leave 

the garden. During the search, teams seized 1,123 narcotic pills,

a precision scale, 240 euros, 1,780 pounds, and 34,100 lira, along 

with numerous digital materials.

Evrensal told reporters, "I haven't done anything to be ashamed of. 

Those who should be ashamed should bow their heads. They are 

slandering me. Such slanders will occur because we have embarked 

on the path of truth." Ramazan Evrensal was referred to the 

courthouse and later transferred to prison.

"Miracle & Release": Tipsy Lady Who Fell From Balcony Saved by Awning, in Eskişehir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 1 December 2025)

                    The awning now has hero status.

The incident occurred at about 3 o'clock in the morning in the Hacı

Ali Bey neighborhood of Eskişehir.  Ajda B. (35), after having s few

drinks, went out on her 8th-floor balcony for some fresh air, lost her

balance, and fell toward the ground.

Miraculously (!), Ajda B.'s fall was broken by the awning on the 5th

floor of the adjacent building.  Hearing the associated tumult, local

residents and the 5th-floor homeowner alerted police and medical

personnel.  Ajda B. was rushed to Osmangazi University (ESOGÜ)

Medical School for treatment. She is said to be in good condition. 

"Record & Release": Video With Late Artist's Song Prompts Copyright Lawsuit Against Truck Driver, in Trabzon

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 30 November 2025)

                     Compliment gouged for easy money.

In Trabzon, Salim Kalfa (65) recorded a one-minute video from his 

balcony with his mobile phone camera, adding the chorus of his 

favorite Black Sea artist Kazım Koyuncu's song "Uy aha" to it and 

sharing it on his social media account. Four months after the post, ,

the artist's legal heir, his brother, filed a criminal complaint against 

Kalfa, alleging "violation of moral, financial, and related rights." 

Giving his statement at the police station, Kalfa said, "I love him very

much. There are millions of posts like this. They demanded 50,000 TL 

from me in a complaint. We couldn't understand it."

Kalfa, a TIR (tractor-trailer) driver living in the city, made the video 

on his balcony in the Ayasofya neighborhood on June 15th. He added 

the chorus of "Uy aha," composed for Trabzonspor football club 21 

years ago, to a video he shared on his social media account. 

Four months after the post, Koyuncu's brother, the artist's legal heir,
filed a criminal complaint against Kalfa with the Trabzon Chief Public 

Prosecutor's Office under Article 71 of the Law on Intellectual and 

Artistic Works, alleging "violation of moral, financial, and related 

rights." The complaint requested 50,000 TL (about $1,200) in  

damages. 

Upon learning that legal action had been initiated against him for 

"unauthorized and unlawful use without providing any permission 

or documentation of entitlement,"  Kalfa went to the police station 

and gave a statement.

Expressing his love for Kazım Koyuncu and stating that he had no 

knowledge of the copyrights, Kalfa said, "On June 15th, I shared a 

song by Kazım Koyuncu on social media, along with a video I shot 

of the Ayasofya neighborhood. I wanted to use this song because we 

love Kazım Koyuncu, and he was a Trabzonspor fan. I love him, so I 

didn't share it with any ill intentions. The police called me and said, 

'You made a music video for Kazım Koyuncu's song.' They said it 

wasn't legal to post it on social media. A song that shouldn't be posted

shouldn't be available on social media anyway. There must be 

copyrights.  So I posted it. Whether I made a mistake or not. Kazım 

Koyuncu's brother filed a complaint saying, 'I shared the song.' I 

couldn't understand it."

Kalfa, who stated that the post had no commercial purpose, said, 

“Do they need money? I don't know. A fine of 50,000 TL was requested. 

We already share the songs of Ferdi Tayfur, Müslüm Gürses, and many 

deceased artists. There is a world of singers. Kazım Koyuncu is one 

of our people. I'm proud of his songs. I never imagined something like 

this would happen to me. I didn't encounter any restrictions or obstacles 

while sharing. So, there's no problem. Kazım Koyuncu is someone 

who has become a symbol of Trabzonspor and Trabzon. We learned at 

the police station that 40 people in Trabzon have been complained 

about in this way. You could have 40,000 people across Turkey. Filing 

a lawsuit against 40 people in Trabzon doesn't suit Kazım Koyuncu's 

family. I'm a truck driver anyway. I'm someone who shares posts 

regularly on long-distance trips. I didn't do anything for money. I didn't 

do it with malicious intent either. If I shaıred something bad about 

him, maybe they'd be right. I love the man anyway, and I'll never forget 

Kazım Koyuncu. I know.” he said.

"Wreck & Release": Building's Demolition Leaves Adjacent Structure's Rooms Exposed, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sabah Newspaper, 29 November 2025)

        Just hope everyone was "decent" at the time.

In Istanbul's Bahçelievler district, when a 38-year-old, 5-story,

apartment building was demolished, rooms in the adjacent 

building were exposed because it shared a wall with the 

demolished building (!). 

Bathrooms, bedrooms and studies in the surviving building 

were open for all to see, prompting residents to put up 

tarpelins or quickly brick-up the exposed rooms.  One

resident, Yeter Çelik, lamented that "The demolition firm

claimed they were blameless because our building didn't 

have its own wall.  Our building contractor is guilty - let 

him pay for the expenses!"

A picture window...without the window.