16.10.2025 18:49
A video of an elderly man seen collecting cardboard from the trash in the Adapazarı district of Sakarya has gone viral on social media, highlighting "poverty." The footage was shared by CHP member Muharrem İnce with the note, "This is Turkey's real agenda. Hunger and poverty." It has since been revealed that the person in the video actually receives pension payments from both Germany and Turkey.
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Images of a citizen collecting cardboard and plastic bags from the trash quickly spread on social media. CHP member Muharrem İnce shared the images, stating, "This is Turkey's real agenda. Hunger and poverty." The post quickly became a topic of national discussion. However, the background of the incident was revealed through fieldwork conducted by İhlas News Agency (IHA) reporters.
GOOD FINANCIAL SITUATION, ENJOYING WORK The citizen featured in the images was identified as 83-year-old Sefer Karaaslan. Karaaslan stated that he has been working in Germany for many years and receives pension payments from both Germany and Turkey. It was also learned that he owns multiple properties and is regularly monitored by the Elderly Support Center (YADEM) affiliated with Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality. Expressing that he worked in Germany for about 35 years, Karaaslan emphasized that the images were misunderstood by the public. He stated that he enjoys working while collecting cardboard and plastic bags. His son, Şevki Karaaslan, noted that his father does not face any financial difficulties.
"MY FATHER DOES THIS BECAUSE HE IS BORED" Şevki Karaaslan stated that despite repeatedly warning his father, he could not stop him, saying, "This is my father's situation. Everything he said is true. His mind is clear, and he has no problems. My father is retired from Germany and has a pension. But he says he does this work to keep himself busy. We tried to make him stop, but my father does this because he is bored. We wanted to stop this; we even took him to the doctor. The doctor said he is healthy. He has no needs; this is the situation. He has no financial difficulties. We even clean the house he stays in, and the municipality has come to clean it a few times. But after a while, it goes back to the same way. He does not want to stay in another house. He wants it this way. We try to take care of him as much as we can. The video was misrepresented. They see my father there, and it was shared without any investigation. There is no need to create a perception. He has money; he has money in the bank. His money is not being touched. In other words, my father wants to do this work; he can stop himself, we cannot stop him," he said.
"I CAN'T BE COMFORTABLE IF I DON'T WORK" Sefer Karaaslan, 83, who made headlines for collecting cardboard from the trash, said, "I worked in Germany for 30-40 years. I receive a pension from there. I also worked in the operating room at the hospital here. I applied, and I receive a pension from here as well. When I work, I am comfortable; otherwise, I can't pass the time. But if I don't work for a day, I can't be comfortable. Is working forbidden? I have five children, and they all have homes. I have no problems. They take care of me; I don't want to go. I am surprised; is working forbidden? Thank God I worked, and I am getting the return. I am healthy; I have no illnesses. They took me to the doctor, and the doctor asked me three questions, and I answered all of them. We work; are we stealing? I can't be comfortable if I don't work. No one can stop me," he said.
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE MADE A STATEMENT Additionally, in a written statement regarding the issue from the Sakarya Governor's Office, it was stated, "The matter has been meticulously examined by our governor's office, and as a result of the investigation and discussions conducted in coordination with our relevant institutions, the identity of the person featured in the post has been determined. In the examination conducted regarding the citizen in question, it was understood that he is retired from both Turkey and Germany, that his spouse is also retired, that he owns multiple properties, has five children, and lives alone. It has been stated that the citizen collects paper voluntarily in his free time and has no financial difficulties. Furthermore, communication was established with his children to inform them of the situation. It has been confirmed by our relevant institutions that the citizen has no need for any economic or social support," the statement said.
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