13.10.2025 12:18
Dilek Arslan Bal, who used disinfectant after a henna ceremony in Diyarbakır, registered a blood alcohol level of 0.61 promille. Bal, who proved through tests that she had not consumed alcohol, was shocked for the second time when she learned that the decision had been appealed four years later.
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Dilek Arslan Bal, who lives in Diyarbakır, set out to attend a relative's henna night around 00:30 on September 18, 2021. Traveling with her family in a car borrowed from her brother, Bal stopped at a gas station on the way back from the henna night to refuel and take care of her needs. Using both wet wipes and disinfectant here, Bal got back in her car and continued on her way. Upon entering Diyarbakır, Bal was stopped at a police checkpoint where the security forces asked for her driver's license and registration.
FOUND TO BE OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT After handing over her documents, Bal was then asked to blow into the breathalyzer. Without a moment's hesitation, Bal blew into the breathalyzer and was shocked by the result. The breathalyzer indicated that Bal had a blood alcohol level of 0.61 promille, and although she claimed there was a mistake and that she had never consumed alcohol, it did not change the outcome.
HOSPITAL TESTS CAME BACK CLEAN Bal, who informed her family, headed to Diyarbakır Selahaddin Eyyubi State Hospital with her relatives. While chatting with a nurse, Bal wanted to know how the alcohol could have shown up. The nurse explained that the consumption of carbonated drinks, disinfectant, and wet wipes could sometimes mislead the breathalyzer. Bal, who was subjected to the test at 00:21 on September 18, 2021, provided her samples at 02:00. The test results came back clean, confirming that she had not consumed alcohol, and Bal applied to the court through her lawyer.
HER LICENSE WAS RETURNED BUT THE DECISION WAS APPEALED As it was revealed that Bal had not consumed alcohol, the penalty imposed on her was canceled, and her confiscated driver's license was returned. After four years, when Bal went to the courthouse, she was shocked to learn that the decision had been appealed. Stating that everything was clear and that she had never consumed alcohol in her life, Bal is now waiting for the decision from the appeal.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRANK AT FIRST" Speaking to İhlas News Agency (IHA) about her experience, Dilek Arslan Bal said, "I was stopped during the return from the henna night on the Silvan Road. They handed me the breathalyzer, and I blew into it. They said I was 0.61 promille over the limit. Honestly, I was very surprised; I thought it was a prank at first. I asked, 'Officer, is this a prank?' He said, 'No, pull over to the right.' I pulled the vehicle over to the right. They took my driver's license and then said, 'We will impound the vehicle.' The car did not belong to me; I was using my brother's car. At that time, they imposed a fine of 1,349 lira and confiscated my license for six months. However, I had not consumed any alcohol. I might have had a carbonated drink at the henna night, or I might have used disinfectant or wet wipes. The police also said that these could affect the results, and the nurse said the same. I had used these products at that time. The most important thing was the blood test results. My test results came back negative. I was confident; it was clear that I was not under the influence. However, despite this, my case was sent to appeal. I do not understand why. I am in the right, yet the case has gone to appeal. I am really curious about why it might have been sent to appeal. Once it was revealed that I was right, the fine was returned, and my driver's license was also given back," she said.
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