The July 15 Martyrs Bridge was closed to traffic in both directions as a safety measure around 22:00 yesterday after a man said to be a bipolar disorder patient, RCÇ, came to the bridge in a car marked “SMA” and closed the road to traffic.
After about an hour and a half of persuasion by the RCÇ. police team, he turned himself in. After RCÇ.’s surrender, the sea route from Anatolia to Europe was opened for the first time. After the vehicles used in the protest were removed, the bridge was fully opened.
Ali Yerlikaya: He has been treated for bipolar disorder for a year and a half
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya issued a statement about the incident, saying, “On July 15 at Martyrs Bridge, it was determined that a vehicle bearing the letters SMA was blocking the road at 10:14 p.m., so traffic on the bridge was closed in both directions.” The driver, a man named RCÇ, had been receiving treatment for bipolar disorder for the past year and a half. “Police negotiated with the individual, who was persuaded and taken away. The public will be informed of the situation.”
Suspicious vehicle alert on bridge on July 15th! Minister Yerikaya’s last minute statement. Suspicious vehicle alert on bridge on July 15th! Minister Yerikaya’s last minute statement View news
“I have no regrets,” he said.
The suspect, who was produced in court after processing at the police station, said in his statement that he acted to draw attention to people with SMA and that he had no regrets.
