Istanbul’s 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü became the center of attention when Resul Can Çatı parked his car, emblazoned with ‘SMA’ to highlight Spinal Muscular Atrophy, on the bridge, causing a major traffic halt. Çatı, who is undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder, stood off with police for 1.5 hours before being detained. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the arrest, citing charges of ‘endangering traffic safety’ and ‘creating fear and panic among the public’. Despite the disruption, Çatı expressed no regret, insisting his actions were to draw attention to the plight of SMA patients. The incident has sparked a discussion on the balance between advocacy and public safety, as the bridge was closed to traffic in both directions, underscoring the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to individual actions. Traffic resumed once the car was towed, but the event left a lasting impression on the citizens of Istanbul and beyond.
Key points
- Resul Can Çatı arrested after blocking the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü to advocate for SMA patients.
- Çatı’s actions caused significant traffic disruption and raised public safety concerns.
- Officials charged Çatı with ‘endangering traffic safety’ and ‘creating fear and panic among the public’, despite his claims of advocacy.
