"Flush & Release": Lavish Toilet Renovation for Turkish Grand National Assembly, in Ankara

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Cumhuriyet Newspaper, 27 September 2026)

From this...

30-million TL (about $613,000)  contract for the renovation of 48 

restrooms in Parliament: Cost per restroom is 612,000 TL (about

$12,500) (!)

The cost of renovation work carried out on restrooms in the Grand 

National Assembly of Turkey’s (TBMM) service buildings has been 

revealed. It has been reported that 29.4 million TL was spent on 

renovating 48 restrooms in preparation for the Parliament's new 

legislative year.

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Department of 

Operations and Construction held a tender on August 27 for the 

"renovation and repair of wet areas in the additional service buildings." 

Twelve companies submitted bids for the tender.

The tender commission eliminated invalid bids (?!), reducing the 

number of bids to nine. It was reported that the highest bid submitted 

was 43 million 437 thousand TL, while the lowest was 29 million 

419 thousand TL.

...to this.

After reviewing the bids, the tender commission reached its final 

decision on September 23. A contract was signed with the company 

Altay Grup İnşaat on September 23, with a contract value of 

29 million 419 thousand TL.

The tender dossier revealed that, among the restrooms slated for repair 

and renovation, 12 were located in the stone building, 11 in the 

personnel service building, four at the Ala Social Facilities, and 

21 in the personnel service building that formerly housed the 

Court of Cassation.

It's been a while since the last renovation...

"Fleece & Release": Hotel Staff Stole $1 Million To Open Their Own Hotel, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 26 September 2026)

                      "It's for a worthy cause...our own."

The general manager, the accounting manager, and six other employees 

were detained in Istanbul's Fatih district on allegations of causing a loss 

of approximately $1 million (!) to the five-star hotel where they worked. 

Security camera footage captured the suspects pocketing money received 

from guests at the reception, and it was determined that the general 

manager and the accounting manager had used the stolen funds to take 

over the operation of a 20-room boutique hotel (!). Five suspects were 

formally arrested in connection with the incident, while three others 

were placed under house arrest.

Ö.Ş., the owner of a 5-star hotel in Fatih, filed a complaint with the 

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, alleging that his money had 

been stolen by his employees. An investigation launched in response 

uncovered a theft amounting to approximately $1 million.

   Hotel staff very familiar with the "five-finger discount".

During an investigation initiated by the Fraud Bureau, police teams 

examined the hotel's security camera footage and determined that 

reception staff were pocketing cash received from guests. As the 

investigation deepened following this discovery, it was determined 

that the theft was being carried out in an organized manner.

Police teams conducted an operation on September 21 after determining 

that the hotel was operating at a loss despite maintaining an 85% 

occupancy rate for two years. During the operation, the hotel's female 

general manager, Sidar Y. (45), and accounting manager Selman M.K. 

(47) were detained, along with staff members E.K. (27), M.A. (38), 

S.Ç. (52), M.T. (34), M.S.Ö. (19), and A.B. (43), who worked in the 

reception, bellhop, and accounting departments.

Smiling faces sometimes...

Investigations conducted by the Fraud Bureau revealed that the suspects 

misappropriated payments made by customers who booked from abroad 

but failed to arrive, transferred restaurant revenues to their own accounts, 

and stole the fees paid by guests who upgraded to larger rooms after 

being dissatisfied with their original accommodations. It was determined 

that the suspects had stolen approximately $1 million over the past 

two years.

Further investigations revealed that the hotel's general manager, Sidar Y., 

and accounting manager, Selman M.K., had used the stolen funds to lease ,

and operate a 20-room hotel in Fatih (!).

Following the completion of procedures at the Public Order Branch 

Directorate, suspects Sidar Y. and Selman M.K., along with reception staff 

E.K., M.A., and S.Ç., were arrested. House arrest measures were imposed 

on M.T., M.S.Ö., and A.B.

"God-like & Release": Famous Footballer Mo Salah Sat on a Rock. Now It's a Shrine, in Trabzon

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Haber.com website, 25 September 2026)

           What once was just a rock, is now a holy place.

Where is Salah Plateau, and in which district is it located? The spot 

where Mohamed Salah, now playing for the Trabzonspor football

club, sat on a rock—a topic of curiosity among football fans—has 

become a trending subject on social media. 

So, where is Salah Plateau located, which district does it belong to, 

and exactly where is the rock that Mohamed Salah sat on?

The location where Mohamed Salah sat on a rock during his visit to 

Turkey has sparked curiosity. As questions like "Where is Salah Plateau?" 

and "Where is the spot—and in which district—where Mohamed Salah 

sat on the rock?" gained traction on search engines, football fans began 

researching the area's location.

The area, which quickly came to be known on social media as "Salah 

Plateau," is actually named Kurtdere Plateau. So, where is the rock 

Salah sat on, in which district is Kurtdere Plateau located, and how 

does one get there?

Get in the queue!

Now like tours to Lourdes, Mecca and Graceland...

"Flee & (No) Release": Well-dressed "Irregular" Migrants Nabbed by Turkish Coast Guard, in Milas

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(DHA News Agency website, 25 September 2026)

                           Why not dress for success?

In the Milas district of Muğla, 12 irregular (!) migrants and two 

suspected migrant smugglers were apprehended while attempting to 

leave the country on a sailing boat. It was noted that the irregular 

migrants were wearing stylish casual clothing to avoid attracting 

attention.

Coast Guard teams deployed to the area off the coast of Milas around 

2:00 PM the other day, acting on information that a group of irregular 

migrants was aboard a sailing boat. The teams intercepted the moving 

vessel. Twelve irregular migrants—including four children—and two 

suspected migrant smugglers were apprehended on board. The migrants 

were brought ashore and handed over to the Provincial Directorate of 

Migration Management.

"Hmmmmm...fancy boat and fancy clothes. Something's fishy!"

Meanwhile, the attire of the apprehended migrants drew attention; 

they were observed wearing stylish, everyday clothing in an apparent 

attempt to avoid attracting notice.

"Rage & Release": Old Traffic Dispute Leads to Murder of Father of Eight, in Adana

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 23 September 2026)

                    Eight kids left without their dad.

Suspects who shot and killed Yaşar Akman—a father of eight—in the 

back in the Seyhan district of Adana were apprehended in a police 

operation. The murder stemmed from a dispute over the cost of vehicle 

repairs following a traffic accident involving the parties five months 

earlier. The gunman, who claimed in his statement that he "had no 

intention to kill," and the other suspect were remanded in custody 

by the court.

The murder occurred around 01:00 on September 15 in the Havuzlubahçe 

neighborhood of Seyhan district. A dispute broke out when suspects 

Murat Buşayi and Fahrettin Turgay encountered Yaşar Akman, with 

whom they had a feud.

During the incident, which quickly escalated into a fight, Buşayi shot 

Yaşar Akman—a father of eight—in the back with a pistol. While 

Akman collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely, the suspects fled 

the scene. Although a medical team dispatched to the location following 

a report rushed him to the hospital, Akman could not be saved. After 

the autopsy, his body was collected by his relatives and laid to rest 

at Küçükoba Cemetery.

Teams from the Homicide Bureau launched an investigation into the 

incident and examined security camera footage from the area. It was 

revealed that the parties had been involved in a traffic accident 

approximately five months earlier and had a dispute regarding the cost 

of repairing the damage to their vehicles; this disagreement had 

reportedly led to animosity between them. 

It was determined that Turgay, accompanied by Murat Buşayi, had 

gone to see Akman on the day of the incident. Police detained the 

suspects during a raid on the address where they were hiding.

In his statement, Buşayi said, "I wanted to shoot him in the leg, but he 

was hit in the back. I had no intention of killing him." Fahrettin Turgay, 

meanwhile, claimed he had no connection to the incident. Following 

the completion of police procedures, Murat Buşayi and Fahrettin Turgay 

were referred to the courthouse and subsequently arrested by the court.

"Release & Release": Mardin's "Marilyn Monroe" Free at Last!...Pending Trial in Mardin

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 23 September 2026)

news of her arrest! click here!

         Still hounded by the press after all these years.

Melek Karahan, a 50-year-old woman from Mardin known as the 

"Mardin Marilyn Monroe"—who had been arrested for "publicly 

disseminating misleading information" due to social media posts 

regarding FETÖ's coup attempt on July 15, 2016—was released 

at her first hearing.

Provincial Security Directorate teams launched an investigation 

following allegations that Melek Karahan—known as the "Marilyn 

Monroe of Mardin"—had made social media posts deemed to contain 

criminal elements regarding FETO's coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

 

Karahan, who was detained on July 17, was referred to the courthouse

after police processing. Following her interrogation by the prosecutor, 

she was brought before the duty court and arrested on charges of 

"publicly disseminating misleading information." The first hearing of 

the case filed against Karahan took place today at the Mardin 3rd 

Court of First Instance. During the hearing, the prosecution presented 

its final opinion, seeking her punishment under Articles 217/A and 218 

of the Turkish Penal Code.

And still can't stay outta trouble!

Following the presentation of the prosecutor's opinion, Karahan—who 

participated in the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System 

(SEGBİS) from the prison where she is detained—presented her defense; 

she expressed remorse and requested his release pending trial. The court 

panel ordered Karahan's release, and the hearing was adjourned until 

October 6.

After the hearing, Karahan's lawyer, Elif Narin Dursun, spoke to reporters. 

Dursun stated, "Today, a decision for release was issued regarding my 

client following the proceedings conducted under Article 217 of the 

Turkish Penal Code. The hearing for the final verdict has been postponed 

for two weeks. We hope to attend and present our defense regarding the 

merits of the case. During the hearing, the prosecutor presented their 

opinion on the merits, calling for a conviction. 

The opinion sought punishment under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal 

Code, as well as under the joint provision of Article 218. Since this opinion—

and the prosecution's request for a specific penalty—was unfavorable to our 

position, we requested additional time. We will present our defense on the 

merits at the next hearing."

"Spy & Release": Weight-loss Center's Owner Alleges "Brand Assassination" by Rival, in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Manşetsiz website, 22 September 2026)

another eye in the ceiling click for more TNT reporting on

this sensitive issue.

              KGB couldn't plant it better...

A scandal at the SlimShape weight-loss center (!) in İzmir has shaken 

its members. A female member named H.C. noticed a hidden camera 

lens in the shower area after working out and recorded the scene with 

her mobile phone. After the customer reported the incident to the police, 

the matter was taken to court, and the business management responded 

to the allegations.

"Our first step was to call the police to the facility and request an 

inspection."  Business owner Rüya Doğan Arsalı, who stated she was 

not at the branch when the incident occurred, said they took action as 

soon as they were informed of the suspicious situation. Arsalı described 

the process as follows:

"I became aware of the situation after an individual at the branch was 

seen filming with suspicious behavior and leaving hurriedly. The lady 

ran out of the facility with the video she had recorded; we tried to call 

out to her but could not reach her. We immediately called the police to 

our branch to check if there was any wrongdoing regarding the alleged 

situation. During this process, we did not even allow our own employees 

to enter the area."

Arsalı stated that while police teams found nothing during the initial 

search, they returned to the center with the police after reviewing the 

station records; a detailed inspection then revealed the presence of 

the lens.

Claiming that a competitor in the sector might be behind the incident, 

Rüya Doğan Arsalı alleged that the device had been planted in the 

facility. Noting that the police officers also considered it highly likely 

that the device had been placed there recently, Arsalı made the following 

remarks:

"We have a competitor in the market, and they are our primary suspects. 

In the past, they have both promoted themselves and engaged in smear 

campaigns against us on social media - brand assassination! We are 

facing a truly ugly and despicable situation. We are experiencing the 

worst possible aspect of industry rivalry. However, I am confident that 

we will clear our name."

Emphasizing that their customers' privacy is their top priority, business 

owner Arsalı stated that they had handed over all security camera 

footage from the facility—with the exception of the changing room (!)—

to the relevant authorities. Noting that members present at the time of the 

incident, as well as those who arrived later, had offered their support,

Arsalı added that they had filed criminal complaints against all 

responsible parties—including the customer who recorded the video—

to ensure the truth comes to light, and that they would pursue the legal 

process to the very end.

A comprehensive investigation into the incident, initiated by law 

enforcement and judicial authorities, is proceeding meticulously.

"Hook & Release": Escort of Your Dreams Available Via Catalogue, in Adana

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 20 September 2026)

                Pimps not pictured...for some reason.

Teams from the Morality Bureau of the Adana Provincial Security 

Directorate's Public Order Branch, acting under the coordination of 

the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, conducted an operation 

targeting suspects identified as facilitating prostitution in massage 

parlors and beauty centers across the city.

Following approximately six months of technical and physical 

surveillance, police identified 18 suspects, seven of whom were women.

It was determined that the suspects recruited customers through social 

media accounts opened in the names of their businesses. 

Furthermore, it was found that they sent catalogs containing photographs 

of the women they forced into prostitution to individuals who contacted 

them. In simultaneous raids conducted in Adana, Mersin, and Tekirdağ, 

18 suspects—seven of them women—were detained. Additionally, 11 

women identified as victims of forced prostitution were rescued. 

Catalogue looks innocent enough, but you have to know 

the code...

Financial records revealed account activity totaling 210 million TL 

(about $4.3 million) linked to the suspects.  After undergoing police 

processing, the suspects were referred to the courthouse; 17 were 

arrested by the court, while one was released under judicial control. 

Assets belonging to the suspects—including homes and vehicles valued 

at 14 million TL (about $2.8 million)—were seized, and freezing orders 

were placed on 50 bank accounts.

"Vote & Release": A Perennial Candidate Over 30 Years But Never Elected, in Sandıklı

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 18 September 2026)

                  "Vote for me!...Please vote for me."

Menderes Koçak, a resident of the Sandıklı district of Afyonkarahisar 

who had run as a candidate in parliamentary, mayoral, and local 

headman elections over the past 30 years without ever winning (!), has 

passed away.

Menderes Koçak, a farmer residing in the village of Kızılca in the 

Sandıklı district, passed away yesterday at Afyonkarahisar State 

Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for an illness for 

some time.

The candidacy journey of Menderes Koçak, a father of three, began 

in 1994 when he ran for village headman (*muhtar*). Koçak ran for 

office a total of 19 times—including five bids for mayor of Sandıklı as 

an independent, one for Member of Parliament for Afyonkarahisar as 

an independent, and twelve for village headman—but never won an 

election. Most recently, he stood as an independent candidate for 

mayor of Sandıklı in the March 31, 2024, Local Administration 

General Elections.

The one election he didn't want to win...

"Smuggle & Release": Drug Suspects From Colombia and Mexico Flee in Pilot Uniforms, at Istanbul Airport

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Milliyet Newspaper, 17 September 2026)

                   He's got another plane to catch...

Customs teams, suspicious of a passenger arriving in Istanbul from 

Mexico, searched the individual's luggage and seized a total of 26 

kilograms of a white powder—suspected to be cocaine—contained 

in 23 packages. It was determined that two individuals who had 

accompanied the detained person to Turkey were drug couriers and 

had left the airport wearing pilot uniforms (!). While two people have 

been arrested in connection with the incident, efforts to apprehend

 the two fugitives are ongoing.

A passenger identified as O.A.V.F., a Colombian national, entered 

Turkey by passing through the "green channel," which signifies 

having no goods subject to customs declaration. Customs officers

subsequently stopped the passenger within the terminal. A search of 

the passenger's carry-on luggage revealed an area of ​​unusual density 

within a suitcase. A detailed search resulted in the seizure of a total 

of 26,340 grams of narcotics contained in 23 packages. The teams 

determined that the seized substance was powdered cocaine.

Teams examined the footage to identify any individuals who might 

be connected to the case. The investigation led to the identification 

of Antonio Viana Florez and Ivan Enrique De Castro Hernandez as 

persons believed to be linked to the suspects. It was determined that 

Ivan Enrique De Castro Hernandez was wearing a pilot's uniform 

and that both suspects had left the airport. As part of the operations 

conducted in Istanbul, it was found that Hernandez had checked 

out of the hotel where he was staying, and efforts to locate the 

suspect are ongoing.

It was reported that the other suspect leaving the airport, A.F.H.A., 

delivered the carry-on suitcase he was carrying to the hotel where 

Mexican national Roberto Carlos Serrano Astorga was staying, 

and was subsequently apprehended at the hotel. A search of the 

suitcase received by Astorga revealed a white powdery substance—

suspected to be cocaine—weighing a total of 25 kilograms 

and 160 grams.

The seized narcotics were determined to have an estimated market 

value of 206 million TL (about $4.2million). Two suspects were 

arrested as part of the investigation conducted by the Gaziosmanpaşa 

Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident, while arrest 

warrants were issued for two other suspects who remain at large.

"Lock & (No) Release": Wife Locked Hubby in Kitchen and Set House Ablaze, in Aydın

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Cumhuriyet Newspaper, 16 September 2026)

"I told him to learn how to cook or die trying!"

Derya Çiçek (31)—the injured wife of Mazlum Çiçek (32), who lost 

his life in a house fire in the Efeler district of Aydın—was arrested on 

charges of "intentional killing of a spouse" after being referred to the 

courthouse following her medical treatment. In her statement, Derya

hanım claimed that her husband, Mazlum Çiçek, had locked himself 

in the kitchen, poured fuel on himself, and set himself on fire. (!)

A fire broke out around 04:00 on August 16 in a second-floor apartment 

of a building on 1067 Street in the İstiklal Neighborhood. Upon 

notification, fire, medical, and police teams were dispatched to the scene. 

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately one hour. An 

inspection of the apartment revealed that Mazlum Çiçek had lost his life.

Derya hanım, who was injured in the fire, was taken to the hospital 

after receiving initial medical attention at the scene.

As part of the investigation into the fire, an inspection of the home 

revealed that the door to the kitchen—where Mazlum Çiçek's body was 

found—was locked (!). Additionally, it was determined that Derya Çiçek 

had packed a bag containing valuables before leaving the house during 

the fire. Reports indicated that the day before the fire, she had gone to 

a gas station and purchased gasoline in a canister, claiming, "My husband 

is with the car; we ran out of gas, so I came to get some." (!!)

First (and last) time he ever went into the kitchen...

Expanding the scope of the investigation, the Aydın Chief Public 

Prosecutor's Office ordered Derya hanım's detention. Authorities are 

investigating the suspicion that she poured fuel in the kitchen, set it 

ablaze, and locked Mazlum Çiçek inside.

Derya hanım, who had been receiving treatment at İzmir City Hospital, 

was discharged. Upon being referred to the courthouse, she stated in her 

testimony that she and Mazlum Çiçek frequently quarreled over jealousy 

and that her husband often spoke of wanting to commit suicide; she 

claimed she had gone to the gas station at Mazlum Çiçek's insistence. 

Çiçek said, "Mazlum forced me to go to the gas station and buy gasoline. 

Afterward, he locked the door, poured the fuel, and set himself on fire."

Police sketch artist's rendering of the Çiçek couple's relationship:

Çiçek was arrested and sent to prison on the charge of "intentional killing 

of a spouse." Upon hearing the court's decision at the courthouse, Derya 

hanım said, "I will never set foot in there; my life is ruined anyway. Don't 

film me and humiliate me. God damn you, Mazlum. May you find no 

peace in that grave; you’ve destroyed my life. I didn't do anything. 

The truth will come out."

"Clean & Release": Cruise Ship Crew Members "Happily" Collect Trash in Marmaris

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(DHA News Agency, 16 September 2026)

"What a nice break in the monotony of cruising the world." (!)

Crew members from the cruise ship MSC DIVINA, currently visiting 

the Marmaris district of Muğla, conducted a cleanup operation in the 

Aktaş area to raise awareness about environmental sensitivity. Teams 

from the Marmaris Municipality’s Cleaning Affairs Department also 

supported the initiative, which saw the participation of young crew 

members hailing from various parts of the world.

During the activity—organized to foster social awareness regarding 

the environment—the crew collected waste found in the Aktaş area. 

Barış Ünlü, the Cleaning Affairs Coordinator for Marmaris 

Municipality, also accompanied the team during the cleanup.

Captain to crew: "Other duties, as assigned."

The young crew members, who expressed a desire to contribute to 

environmental protection not only in their work zones but also in the 

cities they visit (!), highlighted the importance of environmental 

cleanliness and conveyed a message to citizens about the need to 

protect nature.

"Confiscate & (No) Release": Contraband Drugs and Guns Worth Million$ Seized in Mersin and Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 14 September 2026)

       The underside of cargo shipping.

350 kilograms of cocaine worth 1.5 billion TL (about $31 million!),

hidden beneath a dry cargo ship, were seized at the port of Mersin. 

Nine suspects were detained in connection with the incident.

As part of an investigation launched by the Mersin Chief Public 

Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Mersin Anti-Narcotic Crimes 

Branch and the Intelligence Branch conducted a coordinated operation. 

They determined that narcotics were to be retrieved—with the help of 

divers—from the underside of the hull of a dry cargo ship that had 

arrived at the port of Mersin from Brazil. During the operation, teams 

seized 350 kilograms of cocaine, valued at 1.5 billion TL, contained in 

12 packages hidden in the engine cooling water compartment beneath 

the ship's outer hull. 

Nine individuals—Ö.D.A., M.D., M.S., A.E., Y.T., B.B., E.B., E.Y., 

and O.G.—were detained in connection with the incident. Diving 

equipment and an underwater scooter were also seized during the 

operation. The suspects were taken to the police station for processing.

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

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 14 September 2026)

In an operation targeting arms trafficking conducted by Gendarmerie 

teams in Istanbul, 108 pistols with a market value of approximately 

15 million TL (about $308,000) were seized from the trunk of a taxi 

stopped in Eyüpsultan. Two detained suspects were arrested 

by the court.

Suspect seems familiar...

"Save & Release": Fallen Cow Rescued by Caring Humans, in Erzincan

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(İHA news agency, 13 September 2026)

         "Maybe these humans aren't so bad after all."

A cow that tumbled down a 250-meter precipice in the Üzümlü district 

of Erzincan was rescued alive after a six-hour operation.

The incident occurred around 16:30 in the Sarılar locality of the Üzümlü 

district. A report was made to the 112 Emergency Call Center stating 

that a cow had tumbled down a precipice from a steep slope. Following 

the report, teams from the Erzincan Municipality Fire Department were 

dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters don't discriminate.

A rescue operation was launched under the coordination of the fire 

department teams, with support from AFAD and Gendarmerie personnel.

After approximately six hours of dedicated effort, the animal, which 

had been stranded on the precipice, was successfully retrieved alive.

Once the necessary procedures (!) were completed, the rescued animal 

was transported to a safe area to be returned to its owner.