10.07.2026 17:30
The ordeal of 77-year-old Ali Baybaş, who went to Saudi Arabia from Sivas 40 years ago with great hopes but became stranded due to legal obstacles and lived with longing for his homeland for years, has finally come to an end. While struggling with health issues on the streets of Mecca, he was noticed by Turkish pilgrims, and with high-level diplomatic efforts by the state, his exit ban was lifted. Today, after 40 years, the elderly man will set foot on his homeland for the first time.
Ali Baybaş, a 77-year-old who went to Saudi Arabia about 40 years ago for work and was stranded due to a travel ban related to a lawsuit against him, is finally returning to his homeland following intense diplomatic efforts.
ATTENTION OF PILGRIMS AND SOCIAL MEDIA MADE HEADLINES
Ali Baybaş, registered in the population of Kavak village in the Gürün district of Sivas, faced legal obstacles years ago for failing to attend a lawsuit filed in Saudi Arabia and was not allowed to leave the country.
Over time, suffering partial paralysis due to accidents, struggling with serious health issues, and fighting to survive under harsh conditions on the streets of Mecca, the elderly man was noticed this year by Turkish pilgrims in the region for their Hajj duty. The sharing of Baybaş's exhausted condition on social media quickly created a huge uproar and drew the attention of politicians.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS YIELDED RESULTS
After Ali Baybaş's plight came to light, AK Party Sivas Deputy Rukiye Toy stepped in. Under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Turkey's Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate General in Jeddah conducted a swift and intense diplomatic traffic with Saudi authorities. With the positive outcome of the talks, all administrative obstacles and exit bans on Baybaş were completely lifted.
WILL BE IN TURKEY TODAY
Immediately after the legal obstacles were overcome, a plane ticket was purchased for Ali Baybaş, and his return journey to Turkey officially began. Expected to land at Istanbul Airport in the evening hours, Baybaş will be personally welcomed at the airport by Deputy Rukiye Toy.
After staying overnight in Istanbul to rest, 77-year-old Ali Baybaş will then be transported to Sivas, his homeland he has longed for for 40 years.