A British tourist claims he is stuck in Turkey after being arrested for appearing intoxicated during a severe asthma attack instead. Carl Ratcliffe, aged 47, traveled to the luxurious Susona Hotel in Bodrum with his fiancée Natalia Flynn, aged 49, for what was intended to be an eight-day vacation starting on June 10. However, their anticipated holiday turned into a nightmare.
Within two days of their arrival, Carl, who suffers from life-threatening brittle asthma, experienced a severe asthma attack while on an evening stroll. He was swiftly taken to Bodrum American Hospital and put into a medically induced coma, waking up three days later.
While awaiting a “fit to fly” certificate to return home, Carl had another asthma episode on June 23 after watching England play against Ghana in a bar. Fellow vacationers called an ambulance, but Carl alleges that Turkish authorities misunderstood his medical emergency as drunken behavior and apprehended him.
He asserts that he was taken into custody, where he purportedly faced threats of being “shot” by armed officers if they couldn’t see his hands. Despite subsequent blood tests confirming his sobriety, Carl, who was formerly a bank manager at Barclays and now jobless due to health issues, was detained for an additional day. He claims a judge then prevented him from leaving the country.
Carl has been stranded in Turkey for 34 days, accumulating approximately £10,000 in debts from accommodation, legal expenses, living costs, and mortgage payments in the UK. Expressing his distress, he stated, “I’ve endured unbelievable circumstances. I was at risk of dying in police custody twice due to a panic attack and potential shooting.”
The unforeseen events occurred after the couple initially enjoyed their time at the resort following Carl’s recovery, during which he proposed to Natalia. They remained in Turkey awaiting authorization to fly back home and Carl felt well enough to take a leisurely walk while the England vs. Ghana match was on.
However, after the game, he suffered another asthma attack, leading to his arrest by police officers who allegedly assumed he was intoxicated. Carl explained, “They believed I was drunk from watching the match. I informed them I couldn’t breathe due to an asthma attack, but they claimed not to understand English.”
Instead of being taken to the hospital, Carl was escorted to Bodrum police station, where he alleges he was stripped to his shorts and placed in a cramped cell. Recounting his ordeal, he said, “The conditions were appalling – the odor was unbearable. I had only a chair and a feces-covered hole in the corner for a toilet.”
He managed to alleviate his asthma attack after about four hours and was subsequently transferred to another nearby police station for processing. Carl describes feeling threatened by officers who allegedly implied they would shoot him if he moved his hands down. After spending 14 hours in custody and undergoing a court appearance where his blood tests negated any alcohol presence, Carl claims a judge barred him from boarding a plane.
Despite the judge acknowledging his medical emergency, Carl was forbidden from leaving due to an ongoing investigation related to the motorcycle incident. His passport was restricted, leaving him feeling trapped and helpless in a nightmarish situation.
His mother, Francine Kelly, aged 65, from County Down, Northern Ireland, expressed her distress, saying, “They treated him inhumanely. I just want him back home safe in the UK.” The Foreign Office confirmed they are assisting the British national in Turkey and liaising with local authorities.
Efforts to reach out to Bodrum Police and Bodrum American Hospital for comments are ongoing. Donations to support Carl’s situation can be made through his crowdfund.
