Turkish police capture fugitives with long sentences

Recent police operations in Turkey have resulted in the apprehension of high-profile fugitives with significant prison sentences.

In Kırıkkale, authorities captured A. M., a fugitive who had been at large for approximately three years following a 2023 prison escape. Despite attempts to mislead investigators by creating fake hotel records in Istanbul, police identified discrepancies in his travel and medical history, leading to his arrest during a dawn raid in the Yahşihan district. He faces charges including theft, fraud, forgery, and escaping from custody.

In Istanbul, police arrested Gülüstan Kurt in Esenler during a social media live stream. Kurt, a 33-year-old woman with 215 criminal records, was wanted for a finalized sentence totaling 64 years and 6 months. Her charges include theft, forgery of official documents, and providing false information to population directorates. The arrest took place in the Nene Hatun neighborhood after authorities tracked her location. The raid was captured on the live stream, showing Kurt’s surprise as police arrived. During the broadcast, viewers reportedly warned her by saying, ‘Hürrem'in kapısı çalıyor, açma Hürrem’ (Hürrem's door is knocking, don't open it, Hürrem) as officers approached. Following processing by the Beyoğlu Patrol Teams Command, she was referred to court and sent to prison. Her legal issues spanned multiple cities, including Istanbul, Bursa, and Izmir.