15.04.2026 21:49
A Saudi Arabian tourist was found dead in the hotel where he was staying in Şişli, Istanbul. The 82-year-old tourist, who had been discharged from the hospital one day before the incident after complaining of nausea and vomiting, is also being evaluated for the possibility of falling ill after eating at a restaurant. Three restaurant employees taken into custody were released under judicial control. An autopsy report is awaited to determine the exact cause of death.
Almehmadi Saeed Suwaılem, a Saudi Arabian national who came to Istanbul for a tourist trip with his wife and stayed at a hotel in Şişli, applied to the hospital on the night of April 8 with complaints of nausea and vomiting. After the examination, Suwaılem, who was discharged in the morning hours of April 9, fell ill again around noon. The 82-year-old Suwaılem, whose condition worsened, called the 112 Emergency Call Center and was found dead in his hotel room by the medical teams who arrived at the scene.
POISONING SUSPICION BEING EVALUATED
Investigations by police teams determined that the couple had only eaten at one restaurant outside the hotel during their stay in Turkey. According to the statement given to the police by his wife, Hamedah Jaber Alowaidi, regarding the incident, she consumed meat at the same restaurant, while the deceased Suwaılem consumed chicken. It was determined that there was approximately a 20-23 hour period between the meal they ate and the first symptoms of illness. Following this, an investigation was initiated targeting the restaurant and the hotel. While security camera footage from the businesses and samples taken from the food were taken for examination, it was learned that the restaurant manager, chef, and hotel manager were taken into custody.
MOMENTS OF EATING AT THE RESTAURANT CAUGHT ON CAMERA
The moments when the deceased Almehmadi Saeed Suwaılem ate at the restaurant were recorded by security cameras.
SUSPECTS RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL CONDITIONS
After procedures at the police station, the restaurant manager, chef, and hotel manager, who were referred to the courthouse, were released by the court under judicial control conditions.
AUTOPSY TO BE PERFORMED ON THE BODY
After investigations at the scene, it was learned that an autopsy would be performed on the deceased Almehmadi Saeed Suwaılem to determine the exact cause of death.