15.01.2026 16:41
Melek Akarmut, known as "Mardin's Marilyn Monroe," received a 2-year prison sentence for violating the "right to privacy" after sharing footage of a taxi driver who ran over a dog sleeping on the sidewalk in front of her workplace without noticing. Akarmut, who said, "My crime is protecting animals. I am the one going to prison, not the person who ran over my dog," went to Elazığ to turn herself in to the prison.
On May 26, 2024, a taxi driver parked part of his vehicle parallel to the sidewalk on 1st Avenue Üçyol in the Artuklu district of Mardin to pick up a customer. After the customer got in, the taxi moved and ran over a dog sleeping on the sidewalk. As the dog ran away, bystanders reacted to the driver.
The taxi driver, who claimed he did not notice the dog, was identified by the teams of the Public Security Branch of the Provincial Police Department's Environmental, Nature, and Animal Protection Bureau. The taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, was fined under Article of the Animal Protection Law No. 5199, which states 'Leaving the accident scene without helping an animal after hitting it in a traffic accident.'
PRISON SENTENCE FOR "INVASION OF PRIVACY"
Melek Akarmut (50), known as 'Mardin's Marilyn Monroe,' shared security camera footage from her workplace regarding the incident and reacted to the situation. The taxi driver filed a lawsuit against Melek Akarmut for the crime of 'invasion of privacy.' In the case, the court sentenced Akarmut to 2 years in prison for 'invasion of privacy of individuals.' After the decision, Akarmut announced through a video that she had surrendered to the Elazığ Campus Open Penitentiary Institution.
"I'M NOT THE ONE WHO RAN OVER MY DOG, I'M GOING TO PRISON"
In a video shared on social media, Melek Akarmut stated, "I am at the door to surrender to Elazığ Women's Open Prison. People like us are inside, bad people are outside. My crime is protecting animals. This punishment is not just for me but for many of my cats, dogs, children, my offspring, my family, everyone. I am the one going to prison, not the person who ran over my dog. I have been in before, this time it will be long. May my children's tears, their disturbance of our peace, not be left to them. May God not leave them to their fate. Please do not forget us, do not leave us alone. My workplace will not operate in the meantime. Please support by purchasing products. These are my children, they came with me. We have been crying for two days. Unfortunately, I learned very late that the decision for my arrest was issued. 100 police called, asking 'Did you leave?' As if I am a murderer. I already said I would surrender, I am not running away. I don't even have a lawyer. I hope you won't leave me alone here," she expressed.