"Snatch & Release": Doctor's Hair Torn Out by Another Doctor, Who Gets Off With a Fine, in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 23 May 2026) 

               She' s determined to make the best of it...

Two defendants, accused of assaulting, insulting, and threatening a 

doctor working at a state hospital in Gaziemir district of Izmir, were 

sentenced to a fine (!).  The verdict hearing, held at the Izmir 29th 

Criminal Court of First Instance, was attended by the lawyers of both 

parties and defendant Y.A. via the Sound and Video Information System 

(SEGBIS).

In his closing arguments, the prosecutor stated that on the day of the 

incident, Dr. İrem Sarıkaya, who was on duty in the Emergency 

Department of Gaziemir Nevvar Salih İşgören State Hospital, had an 

argument with one of the defendants, S.C., while attending to a patient.

The prosecutor noted that following the argument, defendant Y.A. 

threatened and insulted Dr. Sarıkaya, then grabbed her by the hair and 

threw her to the ground. The prosecutor requested that the defendants 

be punished for the crimes of "insulting a public official," "injuring a 

public official in the performance of their duty," and "threats."

...Dr. Sarıkaya, seizing the moment, takes her chance at stardom.

Defendant Y.A. stated that he was saddened and remorseful (!) about the 

events and left the decision to the court. The defendant's lawyer argued 

that his client was innocent and requested an acquittal.The judge, 

announcing the verdict, sentenced defendant Y.A. to a fine of 50,500 TL 

(about $1,100) for "simple assault" against the doctor, applying 

aggravating circumstances due to the offense being committed 

against a healthcare professional and performing a public duty, and to 

a fine of 53,000 TL for "insult."

The court also converted the 11-month and 7-day prison sentence for 

"threat" to a fine of 33,700 TL (about $735), taking into account the 

defendant's social and economic situation and the remorse shown. (!)

In total, Y.A. was sentenced to a total fine of 137,200 TL (about $3,000)

for the three offenses.

The court sentenced the other defendant, S.C., to a fine of 53,000 TL

for "insult" and to 11 months and 7 days in prison for "threat," but 

decided to suspend the announcement of the verdict and place him under 

probation for 5 years due to his lack of a criminal record.

Y.A., not to be outdone, takes up role as guest speaker.

"Sqeeze & Release": Another Truck Overturns After Failing to Heed Overpass Height, in Bakırköy

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Kanal6Haber website, 21 May 2026)

            It's all about the immutable laws of physics...

The overturning of a truck that crashed into the Marmaray train overpass 

in Bakırköy Ataköy,  Istanbul, has brought back to the forefront the 

long-standing debate about the "same spot" of accidents in the area. 

Following the underpass accident in 2019, a crane belonging to İSKİ 

(Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration) also overturned at the 

same overpass on November 7, 2024. With this latest accident, attention 

has once again turned to Strazburg Avenue.

The accident that occurred today took place on the coastal road of Ataköy, 

Strazburg Avenue. According to the information received, the driver of 

the truck with license plate 59 AEP 575 (registered in Tekirdağ province)

failed to notice the height  (!)of the Marmaray overpass and crashed 

into it.

The truck overturned as a result of the impact, and medical, police, and 

fire crews were dispatched to the scene. The driver, who sustained minor 

injuries, was taken to the hospital after receiving first aid.  Traffic 

congestion occurred in the area due to the accident, and work has begun 

to remove the overturned truck.

                                      "Hey! It didn't fit!"

Today's incident has brought to light similar accidents that have occurred 

at the same location in Ataköy.  On March 27, 2019, a truck and a tour 

bus got stuck in the train underpass on Strasbourg Avenue, halting traffic 

in the area for a long time. Images from that time caused a stir on social 

media.

Despite calls for safety measures in the area following the accidents, 

the continuation of similar incidents is noteworthy.  The Marmaray 

overpass on Strasbourg Avenue has been in the news not only because 

of today's accident, but also because of another incident that occurred 

recently.

On November 7, 2024, a crane belonging to İSKİ  crashed into and 

overturned at the same overpass. Traffic was disrupted in the area after 

the accident, and citizens expressed the need for stronger safety 

measures for heavy vehicles.

"Breed & Release": American Children Track Down Rich Turkish Father, in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(NTV website, 20 May 2025)

                                        Reluctant dad.

Kasım Pırlant began his business career in Chicago, USA, in 1973 as a 

waiter in an entertainment venue, and later purchased a restaurant in 

the same state.  In 1978, he entered the real estate business, and by the 

time he returned to Türkiye in 1985, he owned nine shopping malls. 

Pırlant also frequently made headlines in the economic world with his 

multi-million dollar investments, which he started in Izmir in 2005.

HOWEVER (!)

While Pırlant's investment journey continued, siblings Henry Kevin 

Jackson and Candice Jackson, who were born and raised in Chicago, 

realized that their mother Carolyn Jackson's words, "Your father 

abandoned us. He has a shipping company in Greece and lives there," 

before her death in 1999, were true, and they set out to find their father.

Kevin and Candice Jackson,went to the Chicago club where their 

mother had worked years ago and spoke with the employees. They 

were told that their father was Kasım Pırlant, who also worked there, 

and that he and their mother, Carolyn, had worked together at the club 

years ago.

Following this, Kevin and Candice Jackson researched Kasım Pırlant 

online, believing him to be their father. They learned he was in Izmir 

and traveled to meet him.and they met with Kasım Pırlant twice in İzmir.

                                       Kids and mom.

The two siblings stated that Pırlant did not legally recognize them as his 

children. Following this, the Jackson siblings took legal action in 2018. 

Pırlant passed away in 2023. DNA samples taken during the legal process 

revealed a 99.9% DNA match between the Jackson siblings and Pırlant.

In a decision issued in 2023 by the 13th Family Court, the judge ruled that 

Candice Jackson and Kevin Henry Jackson should be officially registered 

in the population registry as having Kasım Pırlant as their father.

Following appeals against the Family Court's decision, the case was 

transferred to the 2nd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals. 

The Chamber, after reviewing the case, ruled that the local court's 

decision was in accordance with procedure and law.

The ruling emphasized that the mutual claims and defenses of the parties, 

the documents submitted to the file, the legal rules applicable to the 

dispute, the trial and evidence processes, and the court's reasoning were 

all considered together; it also underlined that the objections raised in 

the appeal petition were not of a nature to warrant overturning the 

decision.

Meanwhile, it was learned that the Jackson siblings' lawsuits regarding 

the annulment of the will and their objection to the sale of the shopping 

mall are ongoing.

And on to Izmir!

"Snap & Release": Maniac With a Gun - Recipe for Disaster, in Tarsus

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 19 May 2026)

          He was a quiet man, kept to himself mostly...

Metin Ö., who killed six people and injured eight others in Mersin, 

began his series of murders after killing his ex-wife. Following the 

consecutive murders, police were put on high alert and a search 

operation was launched with helicopter support. While there were 

fears that the killer would continue the killings, news arrived that 

the operation had ended. The suspect committed suicide when he 

realized he was about to be caught in a house where he was cornered.

The death toll has risen in Mersin following a series of armed attacks by

Metin Ö. (37), who shot and killed his ex-wife Arzu Özden (32) in the 

Darıpınarı neighborhood of Çamlıyayla district. After the incident, 

Metin Ö. fled and later arrived at Sabri Pan's restaurant in the Kadelli 

Dörtler Neighborhood of Tarsus district in a car with the registration 

number 01 B 9171, where he opened fire.

In the attack, business owner Sabri Pan died in the hospital where he 

was taken, while Ahmet Ercan Can, who worked at the business, died 

at the scene. The attacker, who continued to flee in his vehicle, shot 

and killed Yusuf Oktay, a young man grazing animals in Kaburgediği 

Neighborhood, and then Abdullah Koca, a truck driver, at a gas station 

in Yeniköy neighborhood.

"Road Rage & Release": 3 Dead After "Yield Right of Way" Dispute, in Antalya

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 18 May 2026)

Strangers in the night exchanged unyielding glances...

At around 01.30 last night in Serik district of Antalya, an argument 

broke  out between 4 people in a car and Ahmet Bayar (25), a forest 

ranger who was passing by, over the issue of "yield right of way". 

The argument  that erupted between Emre Savran (35), Bilgin Korkut

(34), Oğuz Avcı (49), Ali Tunç, and  forest ranger Ahmet Bayar (25), 

escalated into a fight. During this time, Ahmet Bayar pulled out a gun 

and fired several shots. Hearing the gunshots, people called the police 

and medical teams to the scene.

Medical teams determined that Bilgin Korkut and Oğuz Avcı had died. 

Emre Savran, who was injured, was taken to the hospital by his friend 

Ali Tunç. Despite medical intervention, Savran also died at the hospital. 

Ahmet Bayar later went to the Serik District Police Department with his 

gun and surrendered to the police.

"Beat & Release": Woman Strangled With Her Dog's Leash in Istanbul, Body Dismembered and Parts Buried in Kırşehir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 17 May 2026)

                                     Ouch.

The dismembered body of Farkhondeh Ghaem Maghami, an Iranian 

national who had been reported missing in Istanbul, was found in 

Kırşehir. It was determined that Maghami was strangled to death 

with the leash of her own dog by Erkan B., with whom she had argued, 

and that her body was dismembered in a vehicle and buried in a field 

in Mucur, Kırşehir. (!)

On May 12th, Darıush Tahbaz went to the Maltepe Küçükyalı Police 

Station in Istanbul and reported his cousin, Farkhondeh Ghaem 

Maghami (68), an Iranian national, missing, stating that he had not 

heard from her since April 11th. Teams from the Missing Persons 

Bureau of the Public Security Branch Directorate began working on 

the missing person report. 

Police teams examined Maghami's apartment in Maltepe Küçükyalı, 

where she had lived for 20 years. The teams determined that Maghami 

led a quiet life and regularly paid her rent, bills, and dues. Upon 

discovering that the food had been left unattended and spoiled, 

police expanded their investigation.

Double ouch...

Teams noticed that voice messages were frequently sent from 

Farkhondeh Ghaem Maghami's phone number to the apartment's 

WhatsApp group, but on April 18th, a message saying "I'm on vacation" 

was posted. Finding the message suspicious, police discovered that 

the last person Maghami had spoken to was Erkan B. Police 

determined that this individual, who lives in Esenyurt, had a 

relationship with Maghami. 

After examining HTS records, they found that Erkan B. picked 

Maghami up from her home on April 14th and they had dinner 

together at a restaurant in Büyükçekmece. Erkan B., who was taken 

into custody, initially denied the accusations but later confessed to 

the murder and showed police the crime scene.

In his statement to the police, Erkan B. reportedly said that after an 

argument in the car during their last conversation, he strangled 

Maghami to death with the leash of her dog. The suspect reportedly 

confessed to placing the body in the back seat of the car, then 

dismembering it inside the vehicle and putting the pieces in bags, 

after which they remained together in the car for two days. (!)

It was stated that the suspect, Erkan B., is married and has been 

released on probation for previous crimes. Expanding the 

investigation, police teams also detained Mesut A. and Sedef G., 

who were determined to be connected to the incident. The three 

suspects were referred to the courthouse after the completion of 

their procedures at the police station.

On April 22nd, in a field in the Mucur district of Kırşehir, human 

remains were discovered after stray dogs reacted to the soil.

Following the excavation of the dismembered human remains, 

investigations revealed that the body belonged to Farkhondeh 

Ghaem Maghami. It was learned that Maghami's remains were taken 

to the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute and will be handed over 

to her family tomorrow after the necessary procedures are completed.

"Bottoms Up & Release": Retiree Fined $72,000 for "Promoting Alcohol" on FB Posts, in Artvin

 

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(T24 website, 16 May 2026)

       Bureaucrats with time on their hands.

A 67-year-old retiree, Şükrü Mısırlıoğlu, is facing an investigation for 

"alcohol advertising" after sharing photos of a "çilingir sofrası" (modest

meal with rakı) with friends on his personal social media account. 

Mısırlıoğlu, who wrote in reference to the food, "We never dealt with 

dragon fruit, buffalo yogurt, shrimp, or other expensive products," is 

being investigated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for 

violating the ban on alcohol advertising, with a potential administrative 

fine of up to 3,291,000 (about $72,000)  (!)

The investigation against Mısırlıoğlu, a retired Çaykur employee living 

in Hopa district of Artvin, was opened due to his Facebook posts. He 

received a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's 

Tobacco and Alcohol Department. Mısırlıoğlu, who shared photos of 

himself drinking beer, whiskey, or raki on his Facebook account, was 

surprised to see the notification stating that he had violated the alcohol 

advertising ban. 

The notification, citing Article 6 of Law No. 4250 on the Monopoly of 

Spirits and Alcoholic Beverages, which prohibits alcohol advertising, 

stated that violations of this prohibition could result in administrative 

fines ranging from 82,000 Turkish Lira to 3,291,000 Turkish Lira. The 

Ministry requested Mısırlıoğlu to submit his defense within 15 days, 

otherwise a decision would be made based on the available information.

Şükrü Bey enjoying a "çilingir sofrası" on a visit to Istanbul.

The document, signed by Ahmet Akpınar, Head of Market Regulation 

and Control Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's 

Tobacco and Alcohol Directorate, stated: "In the work carried out by 

our Directorate, it was observed that alcoholic beverages were promoted 

through photographs and videos that could be considered advertisements 

on the aforementioned social media account, and the relevant visuals are 

included in the annex to this letter."

According to the investigation file, in one of the images from the social 

media posts, Mısırlıoğlu is posing with a relative holding a glass of raki 

and drinking beer. In another, he is holding a bottle of whiskey. In 

another photo, according to Mısırlıoğlu's account, he is at a "drinking 

party" with friends while commemorating a deceased friend. The retired 

worker shared this photo with the following words: "They say, 'Don't 

waste food, reduce portion sizes.' Well, our portions never got bigger. 

We never had anything to do with dragon fruit, buffalo yogurt, shrimp, 

and other expensive products. Raki, salad, cow's yogurt, that's all..."