Turkey: Police apologize to homeless man for fining

By Dilan Pamuk

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's police force on Sunday apologized to a man who had been fined for not abiding by lockdown restrictions against the novel coronavirus despite saying he had nowhere to go.

Ali Ciftci said he was temporarily in the capital Ankara, where he did not have a home or a place to stay. The police officer on duty still fined him for not complying with lockdown measures.

The Security General Directorate said on Twitter: "Our police officer was only doing his duty in this case. But, we agree that we need to act according to context."

“We contacted Ali Ciftci, provided him with the necessary support and accommodation. We will transfer him to his hometown," it said.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu also shared the security directorate's statement on Twitter.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara