Spanish tourist holds girlfriend hostage in Istanbul during hallucination episode

A Spanish tourist experiencing hallucinations allegedly held his girlfriend hostage with a knife at a restaurant in Istanbul’s Fatih district. The man, who police later revealed suffers from psychological issues, was subdued and taken into custody.

The dramatic event unfolded late last night, at approximately 11:50 p.m., in the Kucuk Ayasofya neighborhood. Istanbul police, including specialized teams from the Special Operations Unit, were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the hostage situation.

Swift police action prevents escalation

Upon arrival, officers negotiated with the suspect, identified as 21-year-old S.B.S. After some time, the man released his girlfriend, E.G.F., a 33-year-old woman. The suspect was subsequently arrested and taken into police custody.

E.G.F., who was unharmed but shaken, was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Family vacation turns chaotic

Preliminary investigations revealed that S.B.S. and E.G.F. are in a relationship and have a child together. The couple had reportedly traveled to Türkiye for a holiday.

Authorities disclosed that S.B.S. suffers from psychological conditions and experienced hallucinations after failing to take his prescribed medication, which led to the incident.

Legal proceedings underway

S.B.S. is currently facing charges for “depriving a person of their liberty” and issuing threats. Legal proceedings are ongoing, while police continue their investigation into the case.

This incident underscores the importance of accessible mental health care and proper medication adherence, particularly during international travel.