A drug addict who attempted to stab a taxi driver in order to rob him has been released.

The taxi driver's reflex saved his life. A young passenger, who was a drug addict, attempted to stab and rob the taxi driver he got into. The horrifying moments were captured by security cameras, while the suspect was released.

The incident occurred last week. According to the information obtained, Emirhan Ü. arrived at the taxi stand in the Şehzadeler district and got into the taxi driven by Hakan Paktan to go to the Akgedik neighborhood in the Yunusemre district. When they arrived at the address, the taxi driver told Emirhan Ü. the fare. Emirhan Ü. said he would pay by card and asked for the post device. While taxi driver Paktan was entering the fare into the post device, Emirhan Ü. pulled out a knife from his waist and lunged at Paktan's chest. With a sudden reflex, the taxi driver held the sharp part of the knife with his hand and struggled with Emirhan Ü. inside the vehicle for a while before unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of the car. Emirhan Ü., who got out of the vehicle after Paktan, fled the scene. The terrifying moments were recorded second by second by the security cameras inside the taxi. The footage shows Emirhan Ü. attacking taxi driver Hakan Paktan and Paktan escaping after the struggle.

ATTACKED THE TAXI DRIVER, CAUGHT WHILE TRYING TO ROB HIS UNCLE

It was learned that Emirhan Ü. later went to his uncle's house to attempt a robbery and was subsequently caught by gendarmerie teams. Emirhan Ü., who was brought to court, was released to be tried without detention. Furthermore, it was reported that Emirhan Ü. was involved in a fight earlier today and was taken into custody by police teams.

DESCRIBED THE HORRIFYING MOMENTS

Describing the horrifying moments, taxi driver Hakan Paktan said, "A passenger came to the stand. He was about 18 years old. He said he wanted to go to the Akgedik neighborhood. I took him in the car and we set off. When we started driving, he showed his arm. He said he was stabbed in the arm. I kept asking questions until we got there. I got suspicious of the kid. The windows were closed while we were driving. It was hot inside. He said, 'I'm feeling suffocated, can I open the window?' and opened the window. He unzipped his jacket. I became even more suspicious. When we arrived at the Akgedik neighborhood, he asked, 'How much was it?' I told him the fare. He said he would pay by card. I entered his limit into the post device. He asked how much I entered. He reached into his pocket and lunged at my chest with the knife. Since I was cautious, when I raised my hand, the knife got stuck in my hand. I held his hand and took the knife away. The seatbelt was also fastened. The man was trying to kill me while I was buckled in. After that, I barely threw myself outside. After I threw myself out, he came out. This time the knife was in my hand. He said, 'Stab me with the knife, kill me.' Then I chased him and called 112 Emergency Service. I didn't know what to do. This was the first time something like this happened to me. An ambulance and gendarmerie arrived. Before they came, a friend of mine named Kadir had already arrived," he said.

Paktan, who said that Emirhan Ü. later went to his uncle's house to attempt a robbery and was caught by gendarmerie teams, stated, "I experienced such an event. The fleeing person went to his aunt's house to rob. He forced the door, and they reported it to the gendarmerie. The gendarmerie caught this person upon their report. At that time, my friend Kadir and I were going to the hospital. When the gendarmerie informed us of the situation, we turned back and went to the gendarmerie to give our statements. After giving our statements, we left there and I received treatment at the hospital."

"HOW CAN WE BE SURE HE WON'T HARM ANOTHER TAXI DRIVER TOMORROW?"

Reacting to the release of the attacker, Paktan said, "I learned that this person was released by the judge. I am complaining about this man. A person who attempted to kill me is released by the judge. How can he be released? I pursued this incident. I spoke with the public prosecutor and informed him that there are recordings. The prosecutor said they would obtain the necessary camera footage and initiate a new complaint. I hope it ends well. That is my only wish. Such people should not be released. What happened to me today could happen to another friend tomorrow. How can they release this person even though I am complaining? How can we be sure he won't get into another taxi and harm our friend there? How can we be sure he won't stab someone in a grocery store? I managed to escape from there by my own means. God is great, I defended myself somehow, but someone else could have lost their life. There are many examples of this," he said.

Paktan urged his colleagues to be cautious against such incidents, saying, "Everyone is here for bread. Our only goal is to bring bread home. If they do not take care of themselves, they may lose their lives tomorrow, leaving their children orphaned. They should be careful."

It was learned that taxi driver Hakan Paktan quit his profession after the incident.