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Eyüpsultan Accident Sparks Dispute: 'He Grabbed My Husband's Collar'
🇹🇷 Turkey /Crime & Justice

Eyüpsultan Accident Sparks Dispute: 'He Grabbed My Husband's Collar'

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A traffic accident in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul, escalated into a dispute between a taxi driver and a couple.
  • The couple claims the taxi driver demanded cash and prevented them from going to the hospital, while the driver denies demanding money.
  • Police are investigating the incident, which was captured on a vehicle's camera, to determine fault.

A traffic accident in Istanbul's Eyüpsultan district on August 13 quickly devolved into a heated argument, with accusations of attempted extortion and physical altercation flying between a couple and a taxi driver.

He grabbed my husband by the collar, saying 'You can't go, you can't escape.' Our vehicle is legal and registered; where could we possibly flee with our license plate visible?

— Bilge KeçeliDescribing the taxi driver's aggressive behavior during the dispute.

The incident began when the couple's car, with the wife experiencing high blood pressure and needing to go to the hospital, lightly rear-ended a taxi while attempting to park near Eyüpsultan State Hospital. The wife, Bilge Keçeli, stated that despite her medical emergency, the taxi driver, Mücahit Usta, insisted they wait for the police and demanded cash payment for damages.

Keçeli further alleged that the taxi driver aggressively confronted her husband, grabbing him by the collar and preventing them from leaving. "He grabbed my husband by the collar, saying 'You can't go, you can't escape.' Our vehicle is legal and registered; where could we possibly flee with our license plate visible?" Keçeli recounted.

We said we could pay through comprehensive insurance, but he still demanded money from us. That's why things escalated.

— Bilge KeçeliExplaining the financial dispute that led to the argument.

Taxi driver Mücahit Usta, however, denied demanding money, asserting that the other party was at fault for the accident. He claimed he only asked them to wait for the police. Vehicle camera footage captured the altercation. Police have taken statements and are investigating to determine fault. Keçeli later received medical treatment at the hospital.

The other party was at fault in the accident, and I did not ask for money.

— Mücahit UstaThe taxi driver's defense against the couple's accusations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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