"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.

"Snatch & Release": Courier, Missing for a Month After Stealing Gold, Nabbed in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 25 August 2026)

             "Hmmmm, maybe today is my lucky day!"

On July 26th, in Şişli, Istanbul, Deniz B. (30), who was working as a 

courier at a jewelry store, was given approximately 2 million lira by 

the shop owner, Mustafa K., to pick up gold and foreign currency from 

the contracted businesses. Deniz B. left the workplace on a motorcycle 

and went to the contracted jewelers in Kağıthane to pick up the gold 

and foreign currency.

However (!), after some time, the GPS device on the motorcycle used 

by Deniz B. lost its location information. The business owner, Mustafa K., 

tried to contact the courier by phone but couldn't reach him, so he 

contacted the jewelers they had an agreement with. During this contact, 

Mustafa K. learned that Deniz B. had received the gold and foreign 

currency and reported the situation to the police, filing a complaint. 

A month later, his unlucky day...

Police teams launched an investigation, which revealed that the 

motorcycle,  belonging to the business and used by Deniz B., last 

signaled around 5:30 PM from in front of a parking lot. Teams went to 

the area and found the motorcycle abandoned. It was determined that 

Deniz B. left the area after abandoning the motorcycle.

Teams from the Kağıthane Public Security Bureau determined that 

Deniz B. was hiding in a house. 27 days later, in an operation conducted 

last Saturday, Deniz B., along with Yasemin B. and Mert B., who were 

also in the house, were taken into custody. 

The operation and the moment Deniz B. was apprehended in the attic 

were captured by a drone camera. It was learned that Deniz B. has a 

criminal record for 'threats' and 'insults', while Yasemin B. has a record 

for 'intentional injury', 'threats', and 'insults'.

After completing the procedures at the police station, Deniz B. was 

referred to the courthouse on charges of 'breach of trust' and 'theft from a 

workplace or institution'; Yasemin B. and Mert B. were referred on charges 

of 'harboring a criminal'. Deniz B. was arrested and sent to prison by the 

court, while Yasemin B. and Mert B. were released under judicial 

supervision.

"Spy & Release": Teacher Caught With Exam Cheating Devices at Izmir Rail Station

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(DHA News Agency website, 23 August 2026)

    Devices to make James Bond blush.

Three different cameras, sound devices and various technical equipment 

used for cheating on exams were seized from a bag found at Izmir 

Alsancak  Train Station. The teacher, Mehmet A. (41), who claimed to be 

the owner of the bag, was detained.

The incident occurred yesterday around 4:00 PM at Alsancak Train 

Station in Konak district. Following a report of a suspicious, unattended 

bag at the station, patrol teams from the District Police Department were 

dispatched to the address. 

While the teams were at the scene, a person contacted security personnel by 

phone, stating that the bag belonged to him and that he would come to 

collect it. The police then secured the bag. Shortly afterward, Mehmet A. 

arrived at the scene, stating that the bag belonged to him, and was stopped 

by the police. 

Mehmet A. and friend  at school. Spy moonlighting supplements

meager teacher salary.

A search of the bag revealed three cameras hidden inside buttons attached 

to three black emblems, a laptop, two smartphones, two internet distribution 

devices, wireless headphones, a USB hub, and numerous other technical 

equipment. Mehmet A., identified as a teacher employed by the Ministry 

of National Education (MEB), was taken into custody on charges of violating 

Law No. 6114 concerning the Student Selection and Placement Center 

(ÖSYM).

In his initial statement, Mehmet A. reportedly said that he used the seized 

equipment to obtain exam questions and give the answers to others.  (!)

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"Snatch & Release": Pickpockets Plague Public Transport Targetting Tourists, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 22 August 2026)

                            "What's in YOUR wallet?"

Following a series of pickpocketing reports on public transportation 

vehicles in Istanbul's Fatih, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Zeytinburnu, and 

Eyüpsultan districts, Istanbul Police Department's Public Security 

Branch teams launched an investigation and meticulously reviewed 

camera footage from the public transportation vehicles.

The investigation revealed that the suspects, particularly in tourist 

areas, boarded trams and buses in groups of three to five, targeting 

tourists. Using 'cornering' and 'shielding' techniques to approach their 

targets, the suspects were found to have committed 25 separate 

pickpocketing offenses on public transportation.

In ongoing investigations, it was determined that the suspects, who 

were found to be operating in an organized manner using the same 

method on public transportation vehicles in tourist districts, stole 

jewelry and money worth a total of 5 million Turkish Lira from victims 

in 25 separate crimes using a masking technique. Police teams, acting 

to apprehend the suspects who were pickpocketing on public transport

using this masking method, arrested 20 suspects in a simultaneous 

operation carried out yesterday morning. It was reported that the

 suspects' procedures at the police station are ongoing.

Suspects enjoying some quiet time together...

"Pray For Release": Drunk Driver Crashes Into Imam's Room at Bolu Mosque

türkçe

(Yeni Akit newspaper, 21 August 2026)

Coincidentally, the Imam was dining on "Imam Bayıldı"  

(a tasty dish that means "The Imam Fainted") at the moment 

of  the crash!

In Bolu, a car driven by a drunk driver first crashed into a parked car, 

then lost control, veered approximately 84 meters, and came to a stop 

after hitting the wall of the imam's room at a mosque (!). The driver, 

who was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.00 promille and 

whose license had previously been revoked, was fined 250,000 TL 

(about $5,200), while the car owner who allowed the unlicensed 

driver to operate the vehicle was fined 40,000 TL (about $830) .

Faint and even crash-worthy.

The accident occurred on Yelki Street in the Sağlık neighborhood. 

According to reports, the car with license plate 14 ACC 234, driven 

by E.İ., collided with a parked car with license plate 14 ABG 141 

while traveling on Dağıstanlı Street.  Despite the collision, the car 

continued on its way and lost control when it reached the roundabout 

on Yelki Street.

The car continued for approximately 100 meters, crossing the 

intersection on Yelki Street and crashing into the wall of the imam's 

room (!) at the Cuma Pazarı Yanı Mosque in Sağlık Mahallesi.

Following a report of the accident, medical, police, and fire crews 

were dispatched to the scene.  The driver, E.İ., and a passenger, H.F., 

were injured and taken to the İzzet Baysal State Hospital Köroğlu 

Unit by medical teams.