11 Temmuz 2026 Cumartesi

"Capture & Release": Turk Stranded in Mecca for 40 Years (!) Returning to Sivas

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 11 July 2026)

















         Greetings pilgrim; your search has (finally) ended.

Ali Baybaş (77), who was stranded in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, after going 
there 40 years ago (!) from Sivas, due to a legal process that resulted in 
a travel ban, is returning to his hometown thanks to the diplomatic 
efforts that have been made.

Ali Baybaş, registered in the Kavak village of Gürün district in Sivas, 
has been stranded in Saudi Arabia for approximately 40 years due to 
legal obstacles and a travel ban imposed because he failed to attend 
a court case opened against him.

Over time, he suffered accidents that left him partially paralyzed, and 
he struggled with serious health problems, trying to survive on the 
streets of Mecca. This year, he was discovered in a weakened state by 
Turkish pilgrims. His plight, brought to public attention through social 
media posts, also caught the attention of politicians. 

Ali bey, stuck in Mecca airport, 40 years ago.
















Following the efforts of AK Party Sivas MP Rukiye Toy, the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs initiated work to facilitate Ali Baybaş's return to Turkey. 
Diplomatic efforts by the Turkish Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate 
General in Jeddah with Saudi Arabian authorities yielded positive results.
 All administrative and travel bans against Ali Baybaş were completely 
lifted, and his return to Türkiye officially began.

Planning has been made for Ali Baybaş, whose exit barrier from Saudi A
rabia has been eliminated, to come to Türkiye. Ali Baybaş, whose flight 
ticket was purchased, will be in Istanbul in the evening. AK Party Deputy 
Rukieye Toy will personally welcome Ali Baybaş at Istanbul Airport. 
Baybaş, who is planned to stay one night in Istanbul, will then be 
transported to Sivas.

Maybe he'll take the train from Mecca...



























...and then the new high-speed train from Istanbul to Sivas!



Hiç yorum yok:

Yorum Gönder