Cerys Nelmes, a comedian from the Cotswolds, has been arrested and detained in Turkey after leaving a Zara store without paying for items. Although she returned the items immediately and offered payment, she now faces a potential three-year prison sentence.
Cerys, a former firefighter turned stand-up comedian popular in Bristol, was taken into custody by Turkish authorities on July 22 following the incident in Istanbul. In an emotional Facebook video, she described harsh conditions during her detention, including being denied food, water, and access to toilet facilities, as well as a lack of communication and understanding during interrogations.
She recounted being held in a locked room for hours without explanation, then transferred to a police station where she was handcuffed, fingerprinted, and photographed at 3 a.m. After a court appearance, a translator informed her she was released but barred from leaving Turkey indefinitely. Cerys must now report weekly to the local police station.
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Cerys expressed fears of losing her home and the ability to support her son without income, also revealing she is running low on essential medication. She acknowledged her mistake was influenced by mental health struggles and apologized sincerely to friends and family.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson confirmed they are assisting the British national in Turkey.