11.07.2026 01:40
77-year-old Ali Baybaş, stranded in Saudi Arabia, was brought to Turkey through the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Baybaş, who had legal issues and deteriorating health in the country where he went to work 40 years ago, was welcomed at Istanbul Airport by AK Party Sivas Deputy Rukiye Toy and officials. Baybaş, a native of Sivas who returned to his homeland in a process personally followed by President Erdoğan, was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Ali Baybaş, a 77-year-old from Sivas who was barred from leaving Saudi Arabia due to a legal issue, was brought to Turkey as a result of intense diplomatic efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Baybaş, who arrived at Istanbul Airport on a scheduled Turkish Airlines (THY) flight, was greeted by AK Party Sivas Deputy Rukiye Toy and teams from the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services.
STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY HE WENT TO 40 YEARS AGO
Ali Baybaş, who experienced emotional moments at the airport exit and was transported in a wheelchair, stated that he went to Saudi Arabia 40 years ago from Sivas for work. Baybaş said he entered prison 3 years ago due to a legal problem and served 1 year in prison, noting that his health seriously deteriorated during this process and he has had difficulty walking for 3 years.
Baybaş, who stated that his voice was heard after images taken in Mecca were reflected in the press, said, "I thank President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan very much. There were those who reached out to me there. I am very happy to return to my country; I will first think about recovering from my illness."
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN PERSONALLY FOLLOWED UP
AK Party Sivas Deputy Rukiye Toy, who welcomed Ali Baybaş, emphasized that despite his busy schedule, President Erdoğan personally and closely monitored the issue. Toy made the following statement:
"Together with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we followed the process minute by minute and finally reunited our uncle Ali with his country. He is currently in a very emotional state. He needs to undergo some physical and psychological treatments."
"HE WILL LIVE EITHER IN SIVAS OR ISTANBUL"
Deputy Toy, stating that they have been involved in the process from the first day, said, "Our uncle Ali will be accommodated in the hospital for a few days. He is from Sivas. After his treatments, we will provide all kinds of support as the state, whether he wants to live in Istanbul or Sivas, whichever city he chooses."
After his procedures at the airport, Ali Baybaş was transferred by ambulance to Arnavutköy State Hospital, accompanied by teams from the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, for health checks and necessary treatments.