Woman arrested at Istanbul mall with gun magazine and bullets; boyfriend also jailed

A woman attempting to enter a shopping mall in Istanbul with a gun magazine and bullets in her bag was stopped by security and subsequently arrested. The incident occurred on a Monday evening in the Esentepe neighborhood. Security personnel discovered the items during an X-ray scan of her bag.

When asked for a permit, the woman, identified as Beyza A., a university student, left the mall. Police initiated an investigation and identified her through security footage. She was apprehended later while at an entertainment venue in Beşiktaş Etiler. A search of her bag revealed the magazine and 25 bullets.

During questioning, Beyza A. stated that she found the items in a house rented by her boyfriend, Erol G., while cleaning. She claimed Erol G. asked her to bring them to him at the mall. She said she panicked and fled when the items were detected at the X-ray checkpoint.

Police then arrested Erol G. Further searches at seven locations connected to him uncovered an additional 564 bullets at his workplace and 17 bullets at his father's home. In total, 606 bullets were confiscated, including the 25 found with Beyza A. No other illicit items were found at her residence or other addresses. Both Beyza A. and Erol G. were arrested and subsequently jailed on charges of violating firearms laws. Reports indicate Erol G. is married and has two children. The incident was captured on security cameras.