07.11.2025 20:30
A new development has occurred regarding the disabled vendor in Bahçelievler, Istanbul, who was caught engaging in fraudulent sales at the market. Following the backlash on social media due to the shocking footage, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an ex officio investigation against the seller for the crime of "fraud during commercial activities." The Bahçelievler Municipality also closed the stall for one week and imposed a fine of 3,541 TL, while citizens expressed their satisfaction with the inspections.
The incident that occurred last week at a market in Bahçelievler, Istanbul, had a significant impact on social media. Moments when a disabled vendor quickly swapped the cucumbers carefully selected by customers with different products he had prepared were recorded by citizens using their mobile phone cameras.
A BANNER WAS HUNG ON HIS STAND
As the images quickly reached millions and drew great reactions, the Bahçelievler Municipality's inspection teams immediately took action. In the investigation, it was determined that the vendor misled citizens by making fraudulent sales, and his stand was closed for one week, with a fine of 3,541 lira imposed on the seller. This week, the inspection teams hung a banner on the vendor's stand stating, "Closed by our municipality due to selling mixed or non-compliant goods fraudulently."
THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE MADE A STATEMENT
Following the incident, a new development occurred. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an ex officio investigation for the crime of "fraud during commercial activities" regarding the incident that took place at the Yenibosna Friday Market in Bahçelievler. In the prosecutor's file, it was stated, "An investigation has been initiated for the crime of 'fraud during commercial activities' under Article 158/1-h of the Turkish Penal Code, upon seeing that different products were given instead of the products selected by a citizen."
CITIZENS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE INSPECTIONS
Citizens shopping at the market and market vendors expressed both their reaction to the situation and their satisfaction with the municipality's inspections. Zafer Pazarcı, who spoke on the matter, said, "Not all vendors are the same; five fingers are not the same. The majority of our vendors are honest. Such individuals tarnish the reputation of all vendors. He could have sold it for a few cents less; I do not find what he did right. The municipality's inspections are sufficient; after all, they cannot monitor everyone 24 hours a day. The vendors and the municipality have become like a family anyway," he said.
"IT'S EVEN MORE THOUGHT-PROVOKING FOR A DISABLED CITIZEN TO DO THIS"
Yeliz Çetinkaya, who stated that the municipality's inspection teams are very good and that they are satisfied, also said, "We come to the market especially to support them instead of supermarkets, but such an incident is very sad. Moreover, it is even more thought-provoking for a disabled citizen to do this."
MAYOR BAHADIR: IT IS OUR DUTY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
Bahçelievler Mayor Dr. Hakan Bahadır, in a statement regarding the incident, said, "Market places are areas where our citizens can shop safely. Whoever engages in fraudulent sales will face the necessary penalties without hesitation. Our duty is to protect our honest vendors and defend the rights of our citizens. No one can play with the labor and sweat of citizens in Bahçelievler, nor can they take away their rights."