"Beat & Release": Lawyer Brothers Beat Female Colleague, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 28 February 2026)

 Their motto: "Figures don't lie and lawyers can figure."

Metin K. and his brother Furkan K., colleagues of celebrity lawyer P.K., 

who beat and threatened P.K. with death, were released by the court 

under judicial supervision. The Public Prosecutor appealed the decision.

P.K., a lawyer representing famous footballers and actors, filed a criminal 

complaint with the prosecutor's office on January 13, 2026, against 

lawyers Metin K. and his brother Furkan K. She alleges that they 

physically assaulted her, dragged her by her hair, and threatened her, 

saying, "You will be the female version of lawyer Serdar Öktem," at a 

colleague's office in Etiler, Istanbul, where she had gone for a meeting. 

P.K. claims that the violence resulted in a torn earlobe and bruises on 

her face and various parts of her body, and expressed concern for her 

safety, submitting photographs of the injuries as evidence to the 

prosecutor's office.

Furkan K. in a moment of quiet reflection.

Following P.K.'s complaint, the suspect Metin K. gave a statement to 

the prosecutor's office. In his statement, he denied the accusations, 

stating that he absolutely did not punch P.K. Metin K. said, "I have 

been victimized by P.K.'s statements, which do not reflect the truth. 

I am pressing charges."

The Public Prosecutor referred Metin K. and his brother Furkan K. 

to the Magistrates' Court with a request for their arrest on charges 

of "simple assault against a woman." The court decided to release 

the suspects, Metin K. and Furkan K., under judicial supervision.

However (!), the Public Prosecutor, objecting to the Magistrates' 

Court's decision, requested the annulment of the current decision, 

citing witness statements and facts confirming the suspicion of guilt 

and the existence of grounds for arrest regarding the alleged "simple 

assault against a woman" by Metin K. and Furkan K. The Public 

Prosecutor requested that arrest warrants be issued for the two 

suspects. P.K., who also objected to the court's decision, 

requested the annulment of the decision and the issuance of 

arrest warrants on the grounds that releasing the two suspects 

under judicial supervision was insufficient to ensure her safety.

Metin K. in a pensive mood.

"Lure & Release": Ankara Woman Had Love Spell Cast on Her Boyfriend; However... (!)

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 27 February 2026)

                      If it sounds too good to be true...

Ayşegül K. sought a love spell over her boyfriend through an account 

called ‘Medyumgamze’ on social media. Using come-ons such as 

‘protective shield’, ‘astrological incompatibility’, and ‘backfire spells’, 

she  paid 41,500 TL (about $1,000) in installments for Hasan, the man 

she wanted the spell cast on. Upon realizing she had been scammed, 

she filed a criminal complaint. The prosecutor's office subsequently 

opened a case against five suspects, all men, seeking up to 15 years in 

prison.

Ayşegül K., residing in Ankara, came across an account on social media 

on June 30, 2024, that presented itself as "Medyumgamze," offering 

services such as "resolving domestic disputes, marital problems, 

reconciling separated couples, breaking spells, love spells, protection 

against the evil eye, personalized talismans, personalized charms, and 

opening up opportunities." Ayşegül K. began communicating with this 

account. The individuals using the account convinced her by claiming 

they could help with spell casting and breaking, promising a refund if 

the spell didn't work. The suspects using the "Medyumgamze" account 

then directed her to a WhatsApp account.

Ayşegül K., wanting a love spell cast on her lover, deposited the requested 

6,000 TL into the provided IBAN. After some time, a person identifying 

herself as Gamze messaged Ayşegül K., saying, "Hasan Bey's mother, 

Hanife Hanım, has performed a protection ritual on her child. This ritual 

(to ward off the evil eye) was done so that the child wouldn't be afraid at 

night, but it's also affecting our ritual. We need to remove this ritual. 

That is, we will remove the part that is affecting our ritual. The price is 

8,500 TL. If it doesn't work, the two fees you paid will be refunded." 

Ayşegül K. requested a discount, and after negotiation, the price was 

reduced to 7,500 TL.

Some time after this message, another message arrived from an account 

named Gamze. This time, it stated that there was a "star mismatch," (!) 

and continued, "The binding ritual we performed, while breaking the spell, 

was done in such a way that the person who cast the spell would cause 

a backlash if the spell was broken. It backfired and caused estrangement 

between you. Therefore, we need to perform a star mismatch ritual, sister.

A star mismatch ritual definitely leads to marriage and creates an eternal 

bond of love between the individuals. 16 grams of gold are needed for this 

ritual. The price of this gold is 24,000 TL." They requested money again. 

Ayşegül K. sent this amount to the provided IBAN.

Ayşegül hanım was given some choices...

After a while, the scammers sent the young woman a message saying 

that the money she sent was blocked in a pool and that all the money 

would be returned if she sent more. Following this message, Ayşegül K. 

deposited another sum of money. In this way, the young woman deposited 

41,500 TL in installments into the IBAN shared by the scammers. 

Following this transaction, the suspects blocked Ayşegül K. on WhatsApp 

and Instagram and did not issue any refund. After a while, realizing she 

had been scammed, the young woman filed a criminal complaint with the 

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. As part of the investigation, it 

was determined that the money the young woman deposited was 

transferred to crypto accounts by the suspects, and that the WhatsApp 

number used belonged to a foreign national. Following the investigation, 

the prosecutor's office filed a lawsuit against 5 suspects, all male, in the 

Ankara 9th Criminal Court of First Instance, demanding up to 15 years 

of imprisonment for the crime of "fraud using information systems, banks 

or credit institutions as tools."

The suspects whose statements are included in the indictment did not 

accept the charges. Some of the suspects, who blamed each other in 

their statements, said, "I gave my account to friends, I was deceived," 

while others defended themselves by saying, "I acted as an intermediary 

but I didn't know."

The suspects were advertising themselves through their social media 

accounts.

"Deceive & Release": AI-generated Fake ID Card Foiled by Human Cop's Sharp Memory, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 26 February 2026)

                         Humans 1, AI 0 (this time)

Abdülhamit K., who had a confirmed 19-year prison sentence for theft, 

created a fake identity by combining his own face with that of a 

relative using artificial intelligence. He evaded checkpoints for years 

using this fake identity, but was finally caught when a police officer, 

who remembered him from 1.5 years prior, managed to identify 

him. (!)

On February 13th, security teams stopped a couple they suspected in 

Mecidiyeköy, Istanbul. During a routine identity check, the security 

team found nothing wrong with the fake ID card bearing the name 

of Abdülhamit K. (18). At that moment, a police officer recalled 

having conducted an identity check on the same person in Galata 

about 1.5 years earlier. The officer remembered that the name on the 

ID card, bearing the name Abdülhamit K., was different then. 

Meanwhile, a tattoo on the hand of the suspect's wife (!) caught the 

officer's attention. Seeing that the tattoo bore a different name than 

the one on the ID card, the police officer tried to understand the 

situation, at which point the suspect began to flee. Following a chase 

lasting approximately  1 kilometer, the suspect was apprehended. 

Security teams have begun working to determine the suspect's true 

identity.

Do-it-yourself in the AI era...

It was revealed that the suspect, whose identity was checked, had 

combined his own face with that of a relative using an artificial 

intelligence program to create a fake identity card. It was discovered 

that the suspect, who resorted to this method to avoid being caught, 

obtained a fake identity card from the population registry office 

using the AI-generated photo and his relative's information. The 

suspect, whose real name was determined to be Muhammed A., 

was found to have a confirmed prison sentence of 19 years and 

10 days for theft.

Following this, police teams examined the identity card in the 

databases of the courthouse and police interrogation systems. 

Police determined that the AI-generated photo was already in 

official records, making it difficult to identify the suspect during 

identity checks. It was revealed that the suspect had avoided 

police checks for years using this method. Legal proceedings 

were also initiated against Muhammed A. for "using someone 

else's identity information" and "making false statements." After 

completing the procedures at the police station, Muhammed A. 

was brought before the court and arrested.

"Deceive & Release": Terror Suspect Escaped Capture for 10 Years by Wearing Different Color Hats (!)

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 25 February 2026)

       Fugitives take note: no need for esthetic surgery, etc.

Bedrettin Günebakmaz (52), the so-called "Director of the Naval Forces 

Command" of the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization, who has 

been wanted in the yellow category on the "Terrorist Wanted List" for 

10 years following the coup attempt of July 15, 2016, has been captured.

Günebakmaz  has been hiding for 10 years, wearing colorful hats, berets, 

and glasses and using different identities. (!)

The address where Bedrettin Günebakmaz, who was wanted with a 

reward of 300,000 TL (about $6,800) , was hiding was determined by 

the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Günebakmaz, who in 

the past held the position of so-called "director" in the clandestine 

structure of the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization within the 

Naval Forces Command, was found to have been involved with 

soldiers in Gölcük, to have been a chemistry teacher, to have used 

the organization's communication application ByLock, and to have 

had an account at Bank Asya. 

Master of disguises (!)

It was determined that Günebakmaz, whose house address in Üsküdar 

was identified, rented the house in someone else's name, opened the 

utility subscriptions in that person's name, and went out for 10 years 

disguised with colorful hats, berets, and glasses.

Following technical and physical surveillance, teams from MİT and the 

Counter-Terrorism Branch conducted a joint operation and apprehended 

Günebakmaz at his hiding place the previous night. Numerous colorful 

hats, beanies, glasses, and caps were seized from the house. (!)

Chinese Businessman, Murdered by Other Chinese, Was Lured to His Death by Femme Fatale, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 24 February 2026)

 

        Weakness for the ladies proved to be his undoing.

The body of Chinese businessman Yong Wang (38), who was reported 

missing in Istanbul, was found buried in Arnavutköy with his hands 

and feet bound with packing tape. It was learned that people who 

claimed to have been defrauded by Wang in China came to Istanbul 

and learned his whereabouts from a woman they contacted. 

It was stated that the suspects killed Wang by hitting him on the head 

with a hard object, took his wallet and fled. An international arrest 

warrant was issued by Interpol for 5 Chinese suspects who are believed 

to be connected to the incident.

According to the information obtained, a missing person report was filed 

with the Istanbul Bakırköy District Police Department on January 24th 

by the lawyer of Chinese citizen Yong Wang.

Found in Yong Wang's car, but he hadn't read it yet...

As a result of the investigations, the GPRS signals of the vehicle used by

the Chinese businessman were examined. It was determined that the 

vehicle was last seen in a field in the Baklalı neighborhood of Arnavutköy.

During a search of the field, pickaxes and shovels were found. Following 

a detailed investigation, Yong Wang's body was found buried in the field. 

An examination by the Istanbul Public Security Branch Directorate 

Missing Persons Bureau revealed that Wang's hands, feet, and mouth 

were bound with packing tape before he was buried.

The investigation revealed that the victim was murdered to extort money 

from him. The Gaziosmanpaşa Duty Prosecutor's Office launched an 

investigation into the incident. Arrest warrants were issued via Interpol 

for 10 individuals identified as suspects. It was learned that the suspects 

were apprehended in China.

Farmer Mehmet Yörük said, "There were two people; one was coming 

over there with his hands in his pockets. The other was coming towards 

the corpse, which couldn't be seen. One of them was doing something on 

his phone. The next day, my uncle's son, the village headman, said, 'They 

buried a Chinese man in Salim's field. We brought the excavator and dug 

him up,' and he said the body was completely intact."

THEY WENT TO A RESTAURANT IN FATIH, IT WAS DETERMINED

Following this development, the Missing Persons Bureau teams initiated 

a follow-up using security camera footage. The footage revealed that 

businessman Yong Wang later went to a hotel in Bakırköy, picked up a 

woman named Shuyang L., and took her to a luxury restaurant in the 

Kapalıçarşı area of ​​Fatih. After eating, the pair were intercepted by a car 

containing four people, and the Chinese businessman was abducted by 

these individuals.

THE WOMAN FROM CHINA SET THE TRAP

Police teams examining the security camera footage determined that the 

woman accompanying Yong Wang had been constantly sending messages 

on her phone before the abduction, and during the abduction, she 

crouched down, acting as if she was unaware of what was happening. 

It was determined that one of the suspects who abducted the businessman 

dropped the woman off in Aksaray, and that she immediately went to her 

hotel and then to the airport, returning to China the same day.

FOOTAGE OF THE KIDNAPPING EMERGES

Meanwhile, footage of the moment Wang was kidnapped has emerged. 

The images show suspects approaching Wang as he gets into his car and 

forcibly detaining him. A woman, allegedly collaborating with the 

suspects, is also seen walking with Wang just before the kidnapping.

MISSING BUSINESSMAN'S CAR FOUND

Missing Persons Bureau teams, in their investigations, found the 

businessman's missing car abandoned in the Arnavutköy area. It was 

determined that the suspects kidnapped the businessman and that the car 

was a rental. GPS records of the rental car revealed that the vehicle 

stopped in an area in Baklalı village for 50 minutes before the 

businessman's kidnapping. It was also determined that the same 

vehicle waited in the same location for 10 minutes on the day of the 

kidnapping.

BODY FOUND BURIED 'VERTICALLY'

Following this development, search efforts for the body were launched 

in the area, and Yong Wang's body was found buried 'vertically' in a 

plowed field. It was determined that the hands, feet, and mouth were 

taped, and there were signs of blunt force trauma to the head.

THEY MAY HAVE BURIED HIM ALIVE

Following the initial examination of the body at the Forensic Medicine 

Institute, the preliminary report stated that Yong Wang died by 

strangulation. According to the report, the Chinese businessman was 

knocked unconscious by a blow to the head with a hard object, then 

his hands, feet, and mouth were taped shut before he was buried, and 

it is highly probable that he died by strangulation.

4 SUSPECTS BURIED THE BODY AND FLED TO BEIJING

In the investigation conducted by the Missing Persons Bureau, it was 

determined that Choao Wen, Zhavangyuan Wang, Zhenin Qın, and 

Chaodong Wang, whose names were identified in connection with the 

incident, boarded a plane from Istanbul Airport on January 21, 2026, 

and went to Beijing, China.

INTERPOL ISSUES ARREST WARRANTS FOR 5 SUSPECTS

Interpol has issued international arrest warrants for 5 Chinese suspects 

believed to be connected to the murder of a Chinese national in A

rnavutköy, Istanbul.

"Fleece & Release": Lost Cellphone, With Password on Cover, Found by "Lucky" Opportunist, in Zonguldak

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Haber3 website, 23 Febrıuary 2026)

           Unexpected shopping spree for Kübra hanım!

Sevim N., who lives in the İncivez neighborhood of Zonguldak, forgot 

her wallet and phone in a minibus last Sunday. However (!), this simple 

forgetfulness, combined with cyber theft, resulted in a fraud story worthy 

of a movie plot.

How did a phone left in a minibus plunge a woman into debt of 95,000 

TL (about $2,200)? In Zonguldak, Kübra D. found Sevim hanım's phone

and used the codes on the phone case to access mobile banking, take out 

a loan, and empty Sevim hanım's salary account. 

The suspect, Kübra D. ,who made purchases at a technology store 

and claimed "The money came by mistake," (!) was released after 130,000

TL was found in court within 20 minutes. However, the victim's 

ordeal didn't end there; after accruing 5,000 Turkish Lira in daily interest, 

a new chapter unfolded in the case.

The biggest mistake of Sevim N., was writing her mobile banking and 

card passwords on a piece of paper and putting them inside her phone case. 

Kübra D., who found the wallet, logged into mobile banking without 

encountering any obstacles. (!)

Kübra D. accessed Sevim N.'s accounts and performed the following 

actions:

She transferred 90,000 TL to her own account.

She transferred 45,000 TL from another bank with the note 

"A loan I received in cash."

She spent 62,000 TL at a technology store and 30,000 TL at the canteen 

where her boyfriend worked.

Kübra hanım knew just what to do with her golden opportunity.

"I Was Expecting Money from My Fiancé, I Spent It by Mistake"

After the spending, the suspect, Kübra D., went to the bank and made 

an unbelievable defense to the bank officials: "The money came to my 

account by mistake. I was expecting money from my fiancé, I thought 

it was him and spent it. I will pay it back in installments."

130,000 Turkish Lira Found in 20 Minutes. Kübra D., who was referred 

to the courthouse on charges of "aggravated theft," begged for forgiveness, 

saying she had a young child. The court set a condition that she bring the 

money within 20 minutes to avoid arrest. The suspect's boyfriend quickly

 brought 130,000 Turkish Lira in cash to the courthouse, paying a large 

portion of the damage, and Kübra D. was released under judicial supervision.

The Victim's Ordeal Continues: "5,000 Lira Interest Accrues Daily"

Stating that the damage was not fully compensated and that the interest 

was growing exponentially, Sevim N. went to court again. The victim, 

who said that the banks were applying 5,000 lira interest daily, stated that 

the promises made were not kept and demanded the arrest of Kübra D.

"Vehicular Revenge": Car, Left Driverless, Ran Over Its Own Driver, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 23 February 2026 -  with must-see video!

Police think the car was settling a grudge against its master.

Savaş D. (48), who got into his car in Kağıthane, fell out of the 

driver's seat while reversing. As he was trying to understand what was 

happening, the driverless car (!) came towards him again. Savaş D., 

who was trapped between the wall and the car, was injured, and 

2 cars and an electrical panel were damaged in the accident. 

Speaking about the incident, shopkeeper Sedat Polat (36) said, "If we 

put this in a Turkish film, it would fit right in. This is the first time 

something like this has happened live in Turkey. What does it mean for 

a person to be trapped under their own car!?" 

Collateral damage to an innocent bystander.

Security camera footage of  the accident that occurred on Saturday, 

November 6th, around 4:00 PM in the Talatpaşa neighborhood of  

Kağıthane has emerged. According to reports, Savaş D. left his house, 

got into his vehicle with license plate 34 MST 52, and attempted to 

reverse. As the vehicle was reversing, Savaş D. (somehow!) suddenly 

fell out of the driver's seat. 

While Savaş D. was trying to understand what was happening and 

stood up, the vehicle came back towards him. The driverless vehicle hit 

Savaş D., causing him to be trapped between the wall and the vehicle. 

Savaş D. was injured, and damage occurred to the vehicle with the  

registration number 34 AU 7416 belonging to Ubeydullah S. (26), a

parked vehicle with the registration number 34 KJR 244, and the 

electrical panel on the sidewalk.

"Fake & Release": Claiming to be Public Prosector, She Threatened Bus Passenger With Death, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 22 February 2026)

                          The wrong arm of the law.

An investigation has been launched ex officio against a woman who, 

claiming to be a public prosecutor, told a passenger on public transport, 

"I'll kill you, you bigot, let's see if you can stay in Turkey after this," 

on charges of 'threat' and 'inciting hatred and hostility or humiliation 

against the public'. Y.S., who was found to have 8 previous criminal 

records (!), was taken into custody.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an ex 

officio investigation against the suspect, whose video, filmed on a 

public transport vehicle and circulated on social media, shows her 

claiming to be a public prosecutor. It was determined that Y.S. had 

dropped out of the Justice Vocational School, was currently an active 

student in the Medical Documentation and Secretarial department of 

the Open and Distance Education Faculty, and had 8 previous records 

for crimes including 'Theft from a Workplace or Institution', 'Purchasing, 

Accepting or Possessing Narcotic or Stimulant Substances for Use', 

'Threat-Insult' and 'Intentional Injury'. 

The suspect was taken into custody.

Meanwhile...

"Creatures & Release": Animal Kingdom Edition - Obese Dogs Doing Pilates, in Ankara; Baby Fox as Police Mascot, in Samsun

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 21 February 2026)

"

                           "Now give me 10 push-ups!"

In Ankara, twin Chihuahua dogs, 'Maya' and 'Çakıl', became obese 

due to irregular feeding and lack of exercise. After their owners noticed 

their weight gain, they took them to a veterinarian, and the dogs are 

now losing weight through exercise and Pilates (!).

Then, under the guidance of veterinary technician and physiotherapist 

Yağmur Denli, they started a pilates, walking, and exercise program. 

Çakıl, who started at 6.5 kilos, and Maya, who started at 7 kilos, lost 

approximately 500 grams in two weeks.

Veterinary technician Denli stated that Maya and Çakıl started 

experiencing weight problems as they got older, adding, "However, 

this is not just related to age. The slowing of their metabolism after 

sterilization, irregular feeding, and consuming food eaten by their 

owners in addition to their dog food have caused weight gain."

******************************************************

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 21 February 2026)

"Barut" even has that policeman's glare down pat.

About a year ago, an exhausted fox cub began arriving at the shooting 

range belonging to the Samsun Police Department in the Kamalı 

neighborhood of Atakum district.

The police officers, showing compassion to the fox, began feeding it 

and, with the help of a veterinarian, healed the animal with medicine 

and vitamins. The officers formed a friendship with the fox, which 

they named "Barut" (gunpowder). The fox, whose den is located about 

50 meters from the shooting range, adapted to its new environment 

very quickly. 

Chief Inspector Salih Can Katipoğlu, in charge of the shooting range, 

said, “Barut has become our mascot. As Turkish police officers, 

besides maintaining public order, we do everything we can to 

support the right to life of all living creatures in nature.”

"Gulp & Release": While Asleep, Woman Swallowed Dental Crown - Into Her Lung (!), in Istanbul

Türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Cumhuriyet Newspaper, 20 February 2026)

"I was expecting the stomach, but this will make for a better

article in a medical journal."                                        

A 45-year-old woman in Istanbul woke up one morning to find her 

dental crowns missing. An X-ray at the hospital revealed that a triple 

crown bridge had migrated into her lung. Experts warn that such 

cases carry a life-threatening risk.

Initially thinking she might have swallowed her teeth, the woman 

went to the hospital after researching online. However, tests revealed 

a rare condition. A chest X-ray taken at the hospital showed that a 

three-denture crown bridge had entered her lungs (!) through her 

respiratory tract.

Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Levent Alpay stated that they 

detected the aspiration of the dental crown in the images and 

immediately admitted the patient for treatment.

Speaking to TRT Haber, Prof. Dr. Alpay made the following 

statements:

"We saw that the three-toothed crown had been aspirated in the chest 

X-ray and immediately admitted the patient. When the patient woke 

up in the morning and saw that the teeth were not in her mouth, 

she wondered, 'Did I swallow it?' Swallowing is usually a concern 

in such cases. It is a very rare occurrence. We generally see these 

kinds of cases in childhood; they are rare in adults. It can obstruct 

the trachea and create serious problems that threaten the patient's life. 

Therefore, these patients require emergency intervention."

Alpay also issued important warnings to those with dental veneers:

"Sometimes these veneers loosen, and the wires can break. In this 

case, the risk of aspiration or ingestion increases. Therefore, it is 

recommended that those with dental veneers have their dental 

check-ups on time." (!)

It could have been worse...

"Wrath & Release": Divine Justice - After Stabbing Hİs Wife He Died While Fleeing Police, in Cappadocia

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 19 February 2026)

                                         Just deserts. 

In Nevşehir, a man who stabbed his wife, with whom he was in the 

process of divorcing, seriously injured her. However (!), while 

fleeing, he was seriously injured in a traffic accident in Niğde. He 

was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

The incident occurred on Şehit Semih Turgut Street in the Güzel 

Yurt neighborhood of Nevşehir. According to reports, Seyhan E. 

went to the home of his wife, Fatma E., with whom he was in the 

process of  divorcing, and after an argument, stabbed her, seriously 

injuring her. 

Medical and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Fatma E., 

who was seriously injured, was taken to Nevşehir State Hospital 

after initial treatment at the scene. It was learned that Fatma E.'s 

life is still in danger.

Following the incident, teams from the Homicide Bureau of the 

Nevşehir Police Department's Public Security Branch launched 

an investigation to apprehend the suspect. The investigation 

revealed that the suspect first went to Kayseri and then to Niğde.

In Niğde, police located the suspect's vehicle on Adana Street. 

The police teams who were following the suspect's vehicle ordered 

him to stop. Seyhan E., who continued to flee, was involved in a 

traffic accident during the chase. The suspect, who was seriously

 injured, was taken to the emergency room of Niğde Ömer Halis 

Demir University Training and Research Hospital, but died despite 

all the efforts of the doctors.

"Beat & Release": Another Road Rage Incident Results in Murder, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

"Hürriyet Newpaper, 18 February 2026)

                   Deadly failure to yield right of way.

On February 13th, in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Erdoğan Şengönül (67) was 

unable to pass through the road with his car because of a parked 

motorcycle. As a result, a verbal argument broke out between him 

and the motorcycle courier.

Passerby Ferşat Tellioğlu (70) intervened in the incident. Following 

an argument, Şengönül shot Tellioğlu twice (!). Tellioğlu's relatives 

pulled Şengönül out of the car and beat him severely. Both Şengönül 

and Tellioğlu were taken to the hospital. Tellioğlu died, while 

Şengönül was arrested on charges of 'intentional homicide'.

After the incident, a search was conducted at Erdoğan Şengönül's 

house. During the search, one unlicensed handgun and a total of 390 

rounds of ammunition were seized (!). The court ordered Şengönül's 

arrest not only for 'intentional homicide' but also for 'purchasing, 

carrying, or possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition'.

Adnan Bayraktar (28), Volkan Arslan (32), and Cenk Arslan (39), 

who were among the suspects who beat Erdoğan Şengönül nearly

to death, were also arrested on charges of 'intentional injury'. H.A. 

was released under judicial supervision.

Road rage: a worldwide plague...

"Insult to Injury": Gouged for Simple Meal at Café and Then Fined for No Receipt (!), in Antalya

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 17 February 2026)

                                    Fiscal indigestion.

Murat Ş., who was forced to pay a bill of 22,800 TL (about $ 520) for 

a meal of meatballs, a cheese plate, two salads, and a soft drink at a 

café in Antalya, applied to the Consumer Arbitration Board. 

However (!),the board stated that it was a "free market" and even 

fined Murat Ş. 7,000 Turkish Lira for "not obtaining a receipt."

Murat Ş's meal at The BBQ Grill Cafe in Antalya, resulted in a  bill for 

22,850 TL that arrived about an hour later. Realizing it wasn't a joke, 

he paid the bill and filed a complaint with the Kepez District Consumer 

Arbitration Board. However, he experienced a second shock with the 

board's decision. (!)  

He lamented that "I was expecting a refund, but I was faced with a 

completely unexpected decision. The Consumer Arbitration Board first 

fined me 7,000 TL for not getting a receipt. Now they have rejected my 

application for relief, citing 'free market conditions'. For God's sake, is 

this what a free market looks like?!"

Don't bring your appetite...

"Attack & Release": Estranged Hubby's Teenage Hitmen Botch Hits on His Jeweler Wife, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 16 February 2026)

M.A.A., with chiseled good looks (!), is bad with alibis.

The jewelry shop of Duygu G., which had been shot at six times (!)

previously, was targeted twice more by attackers on motorcycles 

wearing helmets, within a day of each other. Police arrested 

18-year-old M.A.A., who both drove the motorcycle and fired the 

gun in the second incident.

On December 5th, in Istanbul's Kağıthane district, two suspects wearing 

helmets arrived on a motorcycle in front of a jewelry store. They fired 

shots at the store with a handgun before fleeing. The following day, two 

more suspects, also wearing helmets, arrived on a motorcycle and one 

of them opened fire on the same jewelry store. No one was killed or 

injured in this attack.

It was determined that the suspect who was driving the motorcycle in 

the first incident was the assailant who opened fire in the second 

incident. The suspect, whose identity was learned to be M.A.A. (18), 

was caught. Judicial proceedings were initiated against M.A.A. for the 

crimes of 'intentionally endangering public safety' and 'damaging 

property', and he was arrested.

Duygu hanım's estranged hubby hired the teenage hitmen.

M.A.A. stated in his testimony, "I don't remember exactly where I was 

on the day of the incident. I may have been at home or at a hotel 

because I was drunk. I did not commit this act. Although my father 

identified me, I was not the one driving the motorcycle." (!!)

It was learned that the jewelry store that was attacked with a gun had 

been shot at 6 more times in the past months, and that 8 suspects 

who carried out the incident were arrested, while 2 suspects, aged 14, 

(!) were released on judicial control. It was revealed that the attacks 

were carried out by Özkan G. (43), the husband of Duygu G. (40), 

who is abroad and wants to divorce her, by hiring a hitman.

"Heist & Release": Thieves Stole "Unneeded" (!) $30 Million in Cash, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 15 February 2026)

                    "Might as well put it to good use."

It has been determined that the $30 million stolen from two vehicles 

in an apartment complex's parking lot belongs to the son of Atilla 

Durmaz, the owner of Taç Döviz, whose name appears as a 'custodian' 

in the corruption indictment against the Istanbul Metropolitan 

Municipality (IMM). Durmaz stated, "These funds had been sitting 

in the vehicles for three months because I didn't need them." (!)

Details of the theft that occurred on February 11th have emerged. 

According to the allegations, Bilal Durmaz, who runs a currency 

exchange office in the Grand Bazaar, placed 30 million dollars he 

had taken from his workplace into sacks and loaded them into two 

cars in the parking lot of the residential complex where he lives. 

Later, four people entered the complex in a car and went down to 

the parking lot. The suspects allegedly broke the trunks and windows 

of the two vehicles, stole the sacks containing the dollars, and fled.

Bilal Durmaz, who went down to the parking lot late at night, noticed 

that the doors and windows of his vehicles were broken and the sacks 

had been stolen, so he reported it to the police. He told the police 

officers who arrived at the scene that the sacks contained 30 million 

dollars. Police, after inspecting the site and the parking lot, launched 

an operation to apprehend four suspects.

An extra $30 million in "chump change" lying around (!) ...

Durmaz, giving his statement to the police, said: “I moved my 

workplace in Laleli, Istanbul, about 3 months ago. Upon moving to 

the new address, I brought the 30 million US dollars in cash from the

currency exchange office to my residence. There is an electric automatic 

barrier at the entrance to the parking lot. Only residents and their guests 

can enter. I didn't go to the currency exchange office at all during the 

day. I came home around 9 PM, and around 1 AM, as I was about to 

go to sleep, I checked the vehicles. I saw that the right rear window of 

one vehicle was broken. When I checked my other vehicle, I realized 

that the back compartment had been opened with an object. I noticed 

that all the money was missing. Because of my job, depositing and 

withdrawing money from the bank is troublesome. Since I hadn't 

needed this money for 3 months, it was sitting in the vehicles. I last 

checked the money 2 days ago.”

Police teams examining the parking lot camera footage determined 

that 4 suspects entered the site in Florya by car, broke the car windows, 

opened the trunks, and stole 30 million dollars, contained in 10 sacks 

of 100-dollar bills, in just 10 minutes before fleeing.

                  OK, but where's the other $28 million?!

Police teams, after reviewing security camera footage from the parking 

lot and surrounding areas, apprehended the suspects who fled the 

parking lot in their car in simultaneous operations conducted in Istanbul, 

Antalya, and Kocaeli the previous evening. Searches conducted at the 

addresses of the 7 suspects, who were taken to the police station, 

yielded $1,670,500, 13,200 Turkish Lira, 860 narcotic pills, 2 unlicensed 

handguns, and 1 blank-firing pistol.