"Epilation & Release": Women Were Secretly Recorded During Hair-removal Treatments, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 30 August 2026)

             Hidden camera got a bit too candid.

Beauty salon owner Fatma Özçalışkan, who secretly recorded her 

customers and sold these videos on social media for a fee, and 

Emrah Selim Cansever, who installed the camera recording system, 

were arrested.

Four women, A.K.Ş., M.Y., B.M.A., and F.C.K., filed a complaint 

with the Istanbul Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, stating 

that their images were secretly recorded during treatments at a beauty 

center called ‘Fatma Özçalışkan Özel Metfa Polikliniği’ in Bakırköy, 

and that these recordings were published and distributed for a fee 

via Telegram and X platforms. 

During an operation at the business premises as part of the probe, 

digital materials were seized, along with six hidden camera devices 

disguised as PIR sensors found disassembled in the storage area, 

a hidden camera device in the archive room, and an accounting camera. 

Initial findings determined that 14,000 video recordings were published 

via a Telegram account called ‘Secret Tv +18’. (!)

"What? Just trying to make them secretly famous."

The business owner, Fatma Özçalışkan, and Emrah Selim Cansever, 

who installed the camera recording system, were detained on charges 

of "disclosing images and sounds related to private life," "illegally 

obtaining or disseminating personal data," and "obscenity." Fatma 

Özçalışkan denied the charges, claiming in her statement that the 

camera recordings were installed by the other suspect, Cansever.

Considering the complainant's statements, search warrants, the 

suspects' conflicting statements, social media screenshots, police 

reports showing the recording of images of numerous individuals, 

and the fact that Fatma Özçalışkan did not hand over the devices to 

official institutions before the judicial search but kept them in a 

warehouse, the prosecutor's office referred both suspects to the 

magistrates' court with a request for their arrest due to strong 

suspicion of guilt. The court ordered the arrest of both suspects.

"Phenom & Release": Teacher-turned-Influencer Jailed for "Obscenity", in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 29 August 2026)

                    Her influential version of E=mc2

Fidan Atalay, a former teacher who made herself into a social

media "influencer", has been accused of committing the crime of 

"obscenity" through social media posts and earning income through 

this means, and has been detained in Izmir.

Fidan hanım made videos while working as a teacher that made her

a bit famous, and this micro-fame prompted her to become a full-time

"Instagram phenom".  She sold subscriptions to her Instagram account

for 79.99 TL (about $1.66), accumulated 12,000 subscribers, and was

making about 1 milyon TL (about $20,700) per month.

However (!), The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued 

the following statement about Fidan hanım:

"The posts, videos, and photos made by the Instagram user known as 

'fidannatalay,' publicly known as 'Fidan Hoca,' constitute the crime of 

'obscenity' as defined in Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). 

Furthermore, the suspect's use of this method to generate income also 

constitutes the crime of money laundering, as defined in Article 282 

of the TCK. Therefore, our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has 

initiated an investigation ex officio, and in accordance with our request, 

the suspect Fidan Atalay has been taken into custody in İzmir. The 

investigation is continuing meticulously."

"Spending the whole night dealing with 2nd generation panel 

cointegration is taxing my mental health."

"Whoops! & Release": Drug Dealers Nabbed by Eye in the Sky, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sondakika.com website, 28 August 2026)

                                  Caught unawares...

In an operation supported by drones in Pendik, Sultanbeyli, and 

Sancaktepe, 5 suspects were taken into custody. During house 

searches, 1 kilogram and 595 grams of marijuana, 1,420 narcotic pills, 

cocaine, a weapon, and 97,100 TL (about $2,000) in cash were seized. 

Four of the suspects were arrested, one was released under judicial 

supervision, and it was determined that one of the wanted individuals 

had a 20-year prison sentence that had been finalized.

Thereupon, on July 26, the suspects G.A.S. (23), M.A. (23), S.C. (38), 

C.K.U. (33) and M.B.D. (68), who were detected by aerial surveillance 

with a drone, were detained.

"Road & Release": Turkish Couple Touring/Living Turkey by Motorcycle, With Two Dogs

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(DHA News Agency, 27 August 2026)

Wanting to get away from the hectic pace of city life, the couple Yusuf 

Şahin and Tuğçe Kadak (both 28) have been traveling around Turkey

for 28 months on a single motorcycle with their two dogs. The couple, 

who started their travel life part-time in 2018, turned it into a full-time 

life, shuttered their house and loaded their whole lives onto their 

motorcycle and hit the road.

Yusuf Şahin, who is also interested in mountaineering and camping, 

met Tuğçe Kadak at a camping trip, married her, and they then set off 

on their journey together. The couple, who finance their travels 

independently, work seasonal jobs when their money runs low in the 

regions they visit. Finding daily wage jobs through agricultural 

chambers in the cities they visit, the couple works harvesting products 

such as apples, pomegranates, pears, and hazelnuts, thus covering their 

fuel and food expenses. Having been on the road for 28 months, the 

couple has visited 67 provinces so far.

The couple's daily life is also quite unconventional. They wash their 

clothes using traditional methods in streams and water sources they find, 

and they also shower and meet their other needs in nature. Initially 

setting out with only one dog, the couple adopted another dog so that it 

wouldn't be alone. The dogs, which they named Mançiz and Daniel, 

accompany the couple on their journeys across different regions of Turkey

Sharing their journeys on social media with the hashtag '#ikitekerkesif#', 

the couple says that waking up to a different view every morning is their 

greatest joy. Yusuf Şahin and Tuğçe Kadak state that they have no 

sponsorships and that they sustain their journeys with the income they 

earn from daily jobs in the places they visit and the support of the people 

they meet.

The couple, who also participated in the 'Ergan Motofest' held in 

Erzincan, shared information about their journey. Yusuf Şahin 

explained that he started being a part-time traveler after 2018 and 

met Tuğçe at a camping trip, adding that returning to city life after 

camping became difficult for them. Şahin said, "I've been a part-time 

traveler since 2018. Tuğçe and I became full-time travelers. We've 

been living this life full-time for 28 months. We closed up our house 

and are traveling around Turkey with our two dogs."

Yusuf Şahin stated that they had 14,000 TL (about $290) with them when 

they set off, and that they paid 6,000 TL for transportation. He explained 

that they initially traveled to 67 provinces with their 120 CC motorcycle, 

which they named 'Keçi' (Goat). Şahin said they retired Keçi after parking 

it in a garage in Ankara, and that they are now continuing their journey 

with a motorcycle they named 'Keçipromex', which was gifted to them by 

someone whose name they don't know.  (!)

Şahin explained that the motorcycle is registered in Tuğçe Kadak's name, 

and added, "Wherever we run out of money, we work. We do daily wage 

jobs. We cover our fuel and food needs and continue on our way. A 

monthly income of around 14-15,000TL is enough for us. Our journeys 

have been very enjoyable. We got to know our people, our culture, and 

our geography. We are currently in our 67th province."

Tuğçe hanım stated that despite the challenges of their chosen lifestyle, 

it makes them happy. Kadak said, "Everyone's freedom or perspective on 

life is very different. Our freedom begins where our comfort zone ends. 

If we reduce our comfort zone a little, we can be more free. I compromise 

on comfort. I've been sleeping on a mat for 28 months, but I wake up 

happy every morning."

Kadak stated that traveling with two dogs sometimes presents challenges, 

saying: "Our only job is setting up our tent; we have no other work. 

Every morning we wake up wondering, 'Where will we go today? 

Where will we set up our tent?' We have difficulties with two dogs. 

We can't enter museums; we take turns. I'm responsible for all their care. 

We also wash our clothes the old-fashioned way, scrubbing them 

wherever we find a stream."

"Betroth & Release": Wedding Canceled Again, But the Bride-less Reception Goes On, in Nazilli

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 26 August 2026)

            "Wasn't someone else supposed to come?"

Ali Akın (37), who lives in Germany, and his girlfriend decided to get 

married. But about a year ago they broke up and Ali bey had to cancel 

the reservation he'd made for a wedding hall. 

However (!), the couple reconciled and reserved a wedding hall in 

Nazilli. 

However (!), the couple again broke up the day before the wedding. 

This time, though, Ali Bey went ahead with "celebration", inviting his 

friends and relatives to the hall for a festive get-together...without the 

bride.

"Meow & Release": 100 Cats and No Litter Boxes! ...in Mersin

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 25 August 2026)

      The ultimate "cat house"... but not in the usual sense.

Following a tip about a "hoarder house", due to a strong odor emanating 

from the Yenişehir district of Mersin, teams responding to the report 

found approximately 100 cats (!) being kept in unsanitary conditions, 

instead of  fiinding garbage. The kittens and adult cats found in different 

rooms of the house were handed over to the Yenişehir Municipality 

Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center by the Nature Conservation and 

National Parks and municipal teams.

A strong odor emanating from a house in Kocavilayet neighborhood of 

Yenişehir district has caused a reaction from the residents. Believing the 

source of the foul odor to be accumulated garbage in the house, the 

residents reported the incident to the authorities.

Feline rescue by "good" humans...there are a few left.

However (!), teams wearing surgical masks entered the house and 

determined that the source of the strong odor was not garbage, but cats 

kept at the address. During the inspection, approximately 100 cats of 

various ages and breeds were found in different rooms of the house. 

It was determined that the cats were being kept in unsuitable and 

unsanitary conditions.

Following the inspection, the cleaning crews left the address without 

carrying out any work, while the Nature Conservation and National 

Parks Directorate and the Yenişehir Municipality Veterinary Affairs 

Directorate teams intervened regarding the cats' condition. The cats, 

found in unhealthy conditions, were handed over to the Yenişehir 

Municipality Animal Shelter and Rehabilitation Center after the 

necessary procedures were completed.

Heading for Cat-stantinople? Plenty here already.

"Snatch & Release": Two Chinese Citizens Fined and Deported for Kidnapping 16 Grasshoppers, at Nemrut Dağı

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Adıyaman Işık Newspaper, 25 August 202&)

                     Caught leaving without an exit visa.

Chinese citizens who came for giant grasshoppers (!) were fined and 

deported.  Two Chinese citizens were caught trying to take 16 

grasshoppers collected from Mount Nemrut to China. The individuals 

were fined 1,557,000 (about  $32.000) and deported.

A notable case of biopiracy occurred on Mount Nemrut, located on the 

border between Malatya and Adıyaman provinces. Police teams on duty 

in the area noticed the two Chinese citizens collecting grasshoppers. 

Upon inspection, it was determined that they were in possession of 16 

grasshoppers. It was established that the grasshoppers were being 

collected illegally and intended for export.

Following the discovery of the incident, the Nature Conservation and 

National Parks teams and security units initiated proceedings. The 

incident was assessed as biopiracy.  

The 16 grasshoppers seized were taken into protective custody (!) by 

the teams and subsequently released back into their natural habitat.