27.06.2026 15:09
A 66-year-old person attempting to enter the Bakırköy Courthouse in Istanbul was found to have a pen-shaped gun, a scalpel, and pepper spray in their bag. A potential attack was prevented thanks to the vigilance of security personnel.
A 66-year-old suspect in Istanbul tried to enter the courthouse with an arsenal. The suspect, who said about the pen-shaped weapon, "It came as a gift," stated regarding the pepper spray, "I carry it for protection." A scalpel was also found on the arrested suspect.
The incident occurred on Monday, June 22, at the entrance of the Bakırköy Courthouse Annex Building. The suspect, who came to the courthouse with a friend, placed the bag in his hand into the X-ray device. The bag set off an alarm as it passed through the device. The suspect panicked. During the police search, a pen-shaped weapon, a scalpel, 4 scalpel heads, and pepper spray were found in the bag. After processing at the police station, the suspect was referred to the courthouse and arrested. Whether the suspect came to the courthouse for an assassination attempt is under investigation.
"IT WAS IN MY BAG FOR YEARS BECAUSE IT WAS PEN-SHAPED"
In his statement to the prosecutor's office, the arrested suspect claimed, "The pepper spray in my bag was for security purposes. I am retired, but I handle environmental tasks I can do in the neighborhood where I live. We had ordered film for the pool window at the site; after sticking the films, they sent a scalpel to cut the edges, and that's where it came from."
Regarding the pen-shaped weapon found in his handbag, the suspect defended himself, saying, "In 1996-1997, when I was working at a sports club in Istanbul, a colleague gave it to me. When he gave it to me, I asked what it was, and he said, 'Bro, this is a blank-firing pen gun.' Because it was pen-shaped, it stayed at the bottom of my bag for years. I have never used this pen-shaped blank gun; it has no ammunition, and I don't even know how it works."