A Turkish fugitive who had been wanted by police since 2018 has been arrested in Istanbul after allegedly spending nearly eight years disguising himself as a woman and using his sister's identity to avoid capture. Tuğrul Başar was detained in the city's Kadıköy district in September 2026 after police traced his whereabouts during an operation targeting people with outstanding prison sentences.
He had previously been convicted in connection with three offences involving theft while impersonating a public official, according to Turkish media reports. Police said Başar had been sought since 28 February 2018, following the finalisation of his prison sentence. Investigators discovered that he had allegedly changed his appearance and dressed as a woman to avoid being recognised during police checks. He was also reportedly carrying his sister's identity card when he was arrested.
Fugitive Arrested After Eight Years on the Run
Police from Istanbul's Public Security Branch Directorate, including its Wanted Persons Bureau, carried out an operation to locate fugitives with outstanding prison sentences. Investigators identified Başar as one of the individuals being sought and established that he was in Kadıköy, a district on Istanbul's Asian side.
Police surveillance reportedly revealed that he had been presenting himself as a woman while moving around the city. His use of his sister's identity was also uncovered during the investigation.
Başar was detained in early September 2026 and taken into custody for police procedures. Authorities subsequently initiated further legal proceedings concerning the alleged use of another person's identity information.
Why Was TuğRul BaşAr Wanted by Police?
Başar's original case dates back to 2010, when he was convicted in Samsun, northern Turkey, in three cases involving theft while impersonating an official without authorisation. Reports citing Turkish authorities state that he received a finalised prison sentence and was subsequently wanted after failing to serve the sentence. Police records indicate that he had been sought since February 2018.
The outstanding sentence led to a search lasting nearly eight years. His eventual arrest formed part of a wider police effort to locate individuals who had not served their court-imposed prison terms. Details of the original offences have been reported in Turkish media, which described them as theft committed by assuming an official title without authorisation.
Sister's Identity Card Found During Arrest
One of the key details reported by police was the alleged use of Başar's sister's identity card. According to DHA, the fugitive was found carrying the document when officers detained him. Investigators said he had used his sister's identity while disguising himself as a woman, helping him avoid detection over the years.
Fingerprint checks at the police station confirmed his identity, according to reports on the case. The discovery prompted a separate investigation into the alleged use of another person's identity information. This is in addition to the enforcement of his existing prison sentence. The authorities have not publicly confirmed every detail of how Başar managed to avoid detection throughout the period he was wanted.
Questions Remain About His Changed Appearance
Reports have described a significant change in Başar's appearance, with police stating that he had been dressing as a woman to evade capture. However, available reporting has not established whether his appearance resulted solely from clothing and other changes or whether he underwent any medical procedures. Claims that he had changed gender should therefore be treated with caution, as this has not been independently confirmed by the authorities.
Following his arrest, Başar was handed over to Kadıköy Pier Police Station while officers completed the necessary procedures, according to Turkish reports. He is expected to serve the outstanding prison sentence linked to his earlier convictions. The separate investigation into the alleged misuse of his sister's identity could also lead to further legal proceedings.
