28.03.2026 14:40
In Mudanya, Bursa, a suspect entered mosques with a fishing rod and stole microphones and sound systems; the suspect, who targeted three mosques using the same method, was detained by the police.
A thief entered the mosque in Mudanya district of Bursa with a fishing rod and stole the collar and wireless microphone used by the imam, disappearing afterward. The moments of the rod-wielding thief were captured second by second by the mosque's security cameras. It was reported that the same thief stole sound systems from three different mosques in the district using the same method.
According to the information obtained, the thief entered the Çayırbaşı Mosque in Güzelyalı Neighborhood with a fishing rod and left the mosque after stealing the collar and wireless microphones used by the mosque's imam during the sermon and prayer.
IDENTIFIED BY CAMERA
Asalet Yılmaz, the manager of the Çayırbaşı Mosque Construction and Preservation Association, stated that they saw the person who entered the mosque shortly before the noon prayer after the morning prayer stealing the devices on camera and then reported it to the police. Imam Ali Remzi Çelik, who has been serving in the same mosque for 19 years, expressed that the suspect was mentally stable until about 10 years ago, worked at the municipality, but later began to experience psychological issues due to substance use. Çelik claimed that the individual was fired, divorced, and is currently in prison in Antalya, having been released on holiday leave. It was learned that the suspect later went to the Güzelyalı Duran Mosque and also dismantled and took microphones and cables from there.
"THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING"
The mosque imam Dursun Çetin reported that the individual dismantled the microphones and cut the cables, and when he saw him, he said, "This is just the beginning." An investigation has been initiated regarding the suspect, who was detained by the police.