"Rage & Release": Woman Torched by Jealous Rival to Keep Her From Boyfriend, in Kadıköy

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 11 December 2025)

 

                          Flaming envy's consequence.

Sitting in front of an entertainment venue in Caferağa neighborhood 

in Kadıköy, Istanbul,  on November 1, Gözde Yılmaz (33) was 

making a phone call.  After Gözde hanım hung up, the suspect Sibel 

Arya Geriş approached her, poured a flammable substance on her, 

and set her on fire with a lighter (!). 

Following the attack, suspect Sibel hanım fled the scene, while Gözde 

hanım, engulfed in flames, was assisted by her friends and bystanders. 

Suffering from second and third-degree burns, Gözce hanım was taken 

to Kartal Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital for treatment.

Even on TV, this is too much!

Sibel hanım was arrested on November 1st. The indictment, prepared

by the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, states that Sibel 

hanım arrived at the premises at 1:00 AM, sat down, and then 

approached the victim, Gözde hanım, who was sitting with friends. 

Sibel hanım allegedly poured a flammable substance on Yılmaz's face, 

neck, and part of her body, leaving her unable to escape. 

The indictment alleges that Sibel hanım committed the act with the 

intention of keeping the victim away from her boyfriend (!). The 

prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of 2 years and 3 months to

4 years and 6 months for Sibel hanım on charges of "intentional 

wounding with a weapon." The defendant is expected to appear before 

the Anatolian Criminal Court in the coming days, based on the 

indictment.

"Beat & Release": Local Football Match Devolves Into Brawl Instigated by Host Town's Mayor, in Niğde

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 11 December 2025)

More action inside than on the field.

In Niğde, a fight broke out between two groups after a football match, 

and it was alleged that Birol Demirdelen, the CHP mayor of Yazıhüyük, 

beat the visiting players with a stick. The mayor denied the accusations

in a statement.

A group of young people from Kildere town in Niğde came to Yazıhüyük 

to play a football match on an artificial turf field. It was alleged that an 

argument broke out between the two groups after the match, and as the 

fight escalated, some people were locked in a room in the cafeteria next 

to the football field.

According to allegations, Birol Demirdelen, the CHP mayor of Yazıhüyük, 

who arrived at the scene, instructed the municipal police to open the door 

and then beat the visiting players inside with a stick (!). It was reported 

that one of the victims received first aid from the Gendarmerie and was 

taken to the hospital, after which an ambulance was also called to the 

scene.

Recipient of Mayor's hospitality.

Yasin Şahin, describing what happened, said, "Last Friday, we went to 

Yazıhöyük town for a football match. The Mayor of Yazıhöyük, having 

planned and orchestrated it beforehand, assaulted us. My brother's ribs 

and nose were broken. My nose, cheekbone, and fingers were also 

broken. I have bruises in many parts of my body."

Şahin, who claimed that the mayor locked them in the changing room, 

said, "He brought in a group of about 50-60 people and gave instructions 

to 'kill them, don't let them out alive.' If the Gendarmerie teams hadn't 

arrived at the scene, they would have killed us there."

"Peacemaker" Mayor alleges smear campaign against him!

Birol Demirdelen, the mayor of Yazıhöyük, also issued a written 

statement on his social media accounts, claiming that he was being 

subjected to a smear campaign. Demirdelen stated, "I went there to 

de-escalate the situation. As I was entering, a large group forced their 

way in behind me. I took a stick from someone in the crowd who was

 holding one. I do not accept being accused based on the images 

presented to the public. All my efforts and struggles were aimed at 

preventing the incident from escalating."

"Repatriate & Release": Purloined Ancient Statues and Artifacts Returned to Turkey from USA

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 10 December 2025)

  

                Head wondering "where's the rest of me?!"

According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 

the process of returning the bronze emperor statue and terracotta 

tablets stolen from the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur to Türkiye 

has been completed. The bronze statue is among the most important 

achievements in recent years in Türkiye's international struggle for 

its cultural heritage. 

The return of the Boubon emperor statue progressed through an 

investigation conducted by prosecutors and security forces in the 

United States. The arrest warrant issued against Aaron Mendelsohn, 

the collector who purchased the statue, played a critical role in its 

return to Türkiye. Throughout the process, the Ministry worked in 

coordination with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security and completed all necessary 

procedures for the statue's delivery.

GQ had made a bid too.

The Ministry finalized the return of the bronze emperor statue and 

the marble column capital depicting the Archangel Michael from 

the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Investigations into the origins 

revealed that the artifacts were illegally removed from the Peribleptos 

Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Samatya, Istanbul. In the same 

context, 28 artifacts, whose legal processes had been completed 

earlier, were received from US authorities by Deputy Minister 

Gökhan Yazgı. These artifacts include pieces of Boubon origin, 

archaic terracotta tablets of Düver origin, and a marble head of 

Demosthenes from the Roman period.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in a social 

media post regarding the repatriation process, stated: "The lost 

emperor of Boubon is returning to our country. We secured the 

return of the bronze emperor statue, which was stolen from the 

ancient city of Boubon in Burdur, through international cooperation 

and a determined legal process. This process is one of the best 

indicators of the effective struggle we are waging worldwide in 

pursuit of our cultural heritage and of international cooperation. 

Collector Mendelsohn used his "get out ot jail free" card.

An American collector who illegally purchased the statue would 

have been arrested by a US court if he had not accepted its return. 

By agreeing to return the emperor statue to our country, he avoided 

going to prison. This situation is an important result of our 

determination in the fight against cultural property smuggling 

and the acceptance of our righteousness by other countries' 

authorities through signed agreements. Along with the emperor 

statue, the marble head of a Demosthenes statue and terracotta 

tablets originating from Düver will also be returned to our country."

"Park & Release": Gunfight Over Parking Spot Leaves One Dead, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 9 December 2025)

               Had there been a sign...

In Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district last Friday, Sedat Arıkan and Nadir

K. got into an argument over a parking spot.  The argument became a

fight, prompting local shopkeepers to intervene and quell the dispute.

However (!), yesterday at 1530 hours the tension between the two 

erupted once again and turned into a gunfight.  This time, Sedat bey's

older brother Sinan Arıkan  and Nadir bey's relative İbrahim K. joined

the fray.  Nadir bey pulled a gun from his waist and fired on the two

Arıkan brothers, sending them both to the hospital, where, despite all 

efforts, Sedat bey expired.  The two K's were taken into custody by

police. 

This means war!

"Revenge & Release": Policeman Hit by Car Driven by His Wife's Ex-Husband, Who Bragged on Social Media, in Söke

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 8 December 2025)

Yet another self-incriminating social media blunder.

Anıl Ateş, who injured police officer Ali Korkmaz by hitting him with 

his car in the Söke district of Aydın and shared the footage of the 

accident on his social media account with the note "Traffic accident, 

unfortunately the police officer was injured," (!) was taken into custody.

The incident occurred in the morning hours on Yüksel Yalova Street 

in the Yenicami neighborhood. Police officer Ali Korkmaz, in uniform, 

was injured when he was struck by a car driven by Anıl Ateş while 

unloading items from the trunk of his car. Police and paramedics were 

dispatched to the scene. The injured officer was taken by ambulance to 

Söke Fehime Faik Kocagöz State Hospital. Korkmaz's condition is 

reported to be non-life-threatening.

The moment of the accident was captured on a security camera from a 

nearby business. The footage shows the moment the car struck the 

officer as he was unloading items from the trunk. It also shows 

driver Ateş briefly dragging the officer, who fell onto the hood after the 

impact, before stopping to take a photo of Korkmaz, who was still 

on the hood.

Vengeful photograher captured in the act by another camera.

It was learned that driver Ateş shared the photo on social media 

with the caption, "Traffic accident, unfortunately, a police officer 

was injured." Following the photo post, legal proceedings were 

initiated  against Ateş., who was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, it has been learned that police officer Ali Korkmaz is 

married to the ex-wife of Ateş (!), the man responsible for the 

accident.  An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"Bamboozle & Release": Foreign Women Chosen as "Brides" Made Off With Wedding Gold, in Denizli

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 7 December 2025)

                Catalogue shopping for your soulmate (!).

In Denizli province's Çivril district, a Gendarmerie investigating team

(JASAT) opened an inquiry into reports that local men were being 

duped into marriages with foreign women.  The men chose the women

from a catalogue (!) and the caper's middle men took between $5,000-

$10,000 from the men as their fee. 

However (!), following the "marriages", the foreign women absconded

with the gold and money showered on them at the ceremony.  As a

result, JASAT teams conducted simultaneous raids in Denizli and Sinop

and took 5 suspects into custody.  All of them, though, were released

on the condition of judicial supervision. 

Hoodwinkers on parade...but soon after, free to make more 

couples happy. 

Unlikely site for arranged marital bliss...

"Behead & Release": Body Found Near Burned Car Was Headless, in Isparta

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 6 December 2025)

             Ummm, we'd rather not know what happened...

Villagers who noticed a burned vehicle in a mountainous area near

Aydoğmuş village in Isparta's Keçiboru district alerted police. 

Arriving at the scene, police found a body identified as 

that of Ferdi Özdemir, the married father of two children, near

the vehicle. 

However (!), Özdemir's head was nowhere to be found!  Search

teams are scouring the area to find the severed head.  Özdemir was

last seen at a market buying cigarettes the night before last at about

8 o'clock at night, according to the market's security camera. 

Still able to wear a hat at that point.

"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.