Türkiye denies Saudi tourist assaulted in Istanbul

Turkish authorities have denied circulated reports of a Saudi tourist being assaulted and robbed in the Fatih district of Istanbul.

The Disinformation Combat Center stated in a release that "the claims being spread by Israeli propaganda outlets aiming to mislead the Arab public that the individual assaulted and robbed in the Fatih district of Istanbul was either a Saudi tourist or an Arab tourist" are "false and inaccurate allegations."

Authorities stated that "after the spread of the footage, security investigations revealed that the assault and robbery incident took place on March 25, 2024, on one of the streets in the Kamal Pasha neighborhood in the Fatih area," clarifying that "two individuals involved in the assault were apprehended, and the search for others continues."

They also mentioned the recovery of the stolen amount found in possession of the apprehended individuals, which was returned to its owners.

Some accounts on the "X" platform shared a video clip showing a person being assaulted while walking on the sidewalk in the Fatih area, falling to the ground, and having their belongings stolen.

Some accounts claimed that the person assaulted and robbed was a "Saudi tourist."

Following the uproar on social media, the Disinformation Combat Center, affiliated with the Communication Directorate of the Turkish Presidency, denied that the assaulted individual was a Saudi tourist, confirming that the incident occurred on March 25, 2024.