Alleged Harassment Case in Kağıthane Ends with Drone-Assisted Arrests
Tension rose in Istanbul’s Kağıthane district after a woman alleged that she had been verbally harassed and followed on her way home from work. The incident escalated when her family arrived at the scene, leading to a physical confrontation. Two men who attempted to flee were later located and detained with the help of a police drone.
The incident reportedly took place at around 11:15 p.m. on Monday, September 14, in Şirintepe, Kağıthane. According to the woman’s account, identified as Zeliha T., a man named Burak G. approached her as she was returning from work and allegedly made inappropriate remarks before attempting to kiss her.
Zeliha T. also claimed that another man, Caner E., who was reportedly with Burak G. at the time, had been following and disturbing her for approximately three months. Following the alleged encounter, the woman began shouting in the street. Her family came downstairs after hearing her cries, and a dispute soon turned into a fight between the parties.
Police officers were dispatched to the neighborhood to intervene. Images of the confrontation were recorded on a mobile phone, while the two men reportedly tried to escape during the disturbance.
The Kağıthane Public Order Bureau’s unmanned aerial vehicle unit monitored the area from above. Police used a drone to follow the fleeing suspects, allowing ground teams to locate and detain both men. After being captured, Burak G. and Caner E. underwent medical examinations before being taken to the police station.
The investigation also revealed that both suspects had previous police records. Burak G. was reportedly listed in police records on four separate occasions. These records included one entry related to alleged sexual harassment, two connected with intentional injury and one involving the use of narcotics.
Caner E. was reported to have three previous police records. They were associated with allegations involving sexual abuse of a child, intentional injury, and threats and insults. The existence of a police record, however, does not by itself establish guilt in the current case or prove the allegations made against the individuals.
Authorities initiated proceedings against both men on allegations of intentional injury, threats and insults. After their procedures at the police station were completed, the two suspects were released following a decision by the prosecutor.
The case highlights how quickly allegations of harassment can develop into a wider public-order incident, particularly when relatives or bystanders become involved. Police intervention was required not only to assess the original complaint but also to prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
Drone technology has increasingly become part of urban policing, especially in areas with narrow streets, crowded buildings and limited visibility. In this case, the aerial unit was reportedly used to maintain visual contact with suspects who attempted to leave the scene. Such systems can help officers coordinate ground operations without immediately deploying large numbers of personnel.
At the same time, the investigation must distinguish between the initial allegations, witness statements and evidence obtained at the scene. Statements from the woman, her family, the suspects and other witnesses may all be reviewed as part of the legal process. Mobile-phone footage and police reports could also play a role in clarifying how the confrontation began and how it developed.
The alleged three-month period of following mentioned by the woman may also be examined separately from the events that occurred on the night of the incident. Investigators may assess whether there are surveillance recordings, messages, phone records or independent witnesses that could support or contradict the claim.
The suspects’ release does not necessarily mean that the investigation has been closed or that the allegations have been dismissed. Prosecutors may continue reviewing the available evidence and may take further legal action if additional findings emerge. The final assessment will depend on the evidence collected and the decisions of judicial authorities.
Experts generally emphasize that people who believe they are being harassed or followed should avoid confronting the suspected person alone. Moving toward a well-lit, populated location, contacting relatives or emergency services, and preserving messages or recordings can help ensure personal safety and support a later investigation.
The incident also demonstrates the importance of prompt reporting. Early complaints can help police identify patterns, review nearby security-camera footage and determine whether similar allegations have been made previously. Any legal assessment, however, must respect the presumption of innocence while ensuring that complaints are taken seriously and investigated properly.