YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık caught hiding under truck at Kapıkule border

August 31, 2026 at 11:04 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Turkish YouTuber Arif Kocabıyık was detained at Kapıkule border crossing on August 31, 2026, after being found hiding under a truck trailer attempting to cross into Bulgaria. Kocabıyık was subject to a travel ban imposed by Antalya 35th Criminal Court under Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code for insulting the president. The truck driver, Muhterem Altıntaş, was also taken into custody.

Key Facts

Arif Kocabıyık was found hiding under a truck trailer at Kapıkule border crossing at 15:11 on August 31, 2026.
Kocabıyık was subject to a travel ban imposed by Antalya 35th Criminal Court under Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code for insulting the president.
The truck driver, Muhterem Altıntaş, was also taken into custody.
Iranian citizen Shayan Peiman Samadi was found hiding alongside Kocabıyık.
The truck had license plates 42 BHK 513 (tractor) and 42 AKC 930 (trailer).

The Arrest

At 15:11 on August 31, 2026, customs officials at Kapıkule border crossing searched a truck preparing to exit to Bulgaria. During the search, two people were found hidden under the truck's trailer. The individuals were identified as Turkish citizen Arif Kocabıyık and Iranian citizen Shayan Peiman Samadi. Kocabıyık was known as a YouTuber and was subject to a travel ban imposed by Antalya 35th Criminal Court.

Legal Proceedings

The travel ban was issued under Article 299/1 of the Turkish Penal Code, which covers insulting the president. Following the discovery, Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office ordered legal proceedings. Kocabıyık and truck driver Muhterem Altıntaş were taken into custody. The suspects were to be brought before the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office after processing.

Investigation Status

The investigation is being conducted by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Iranian citizen Shayan Peiman Samadi was handed over to the Provincial Migration Administration. Sozcu reported that proceedings regarding Samadi were ongoing.