# Arrest of YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık at Turkish border

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/arrest-of-youtuber-arif-kocabyk-at-turkish-border
> Updated: 2026-09-02T19:57:16.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 2.

Arif Kocabıyık, a YouTuber and founder of İlave TV, was arrested at the Kapıkule Border Gate while attempting to flee Turkey for Bulgaria. Authorities discovered Kocabıyık and an Iranian national, Shayan Peiman Samadi, hiding underneath a truck trailer during a security inspection involving a mobile scanner.

Kocabıyık was already under a judicial travel ban issued by the Antalya 35th Criminal Court of First Instance due to charges of “insulting the President.” During questioning, Kocabıyık claimed he intended to film travel videos abroad and had followed advice to hide in the vehicle. 

Following his apprehension for violating judicial control measures, Kocabıyık was transferred to Edirne L Type Closed Prison. The truck driver was also arrested on charges of migrant smuggling, and Samadi was handed over to migration authorities.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Turkish YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık arrested at Bulgarian border

Turkish YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık was arrested at the Kapıkule border while attempting to enter Bulgaria by hiding under a truck, violating a travel ban related to charges of insulting President Erdoğan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-youtuber-arif-kocabyk-arrested-at-bulgarian-border

### 2026-08-31: Arif Kocabıyık arrested while attempting to flee Turkey via truck trailer

YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık was arrested at the Kapıkule Border Gate after being found hiding under a truck trailer while attempting to flee to Bulgaria despite a judicial travel ban.

34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youtuber-arif-kocabyk-caught-attempting-to-flee-turkey-via-truck-trailer

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Cite as: Arrest of YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık at Turkish border. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/arrest-of-youtuber-arif-kocabyk-at-turkish-border