AI detection for image shared as 'old state' of Söğütlüçeşme: Claim is not true

It has been stated that an image shared on social media with the claim that it is the "old state" of Söğütlüçeşme Train Station is not a real photograph. According to an investigation by Doğruluk Payı dated August 24, 2026, the image shared on X on August 22 was created or edited using artificial intelligence tools.

The investigation reported that the image was scanned with Google SynthID and results were obtained indicating that all or a large part of the image was produced using Google's artificial intelligence tools. It was also noted that AI detection tools gave a 99.9 percent "AI-generated image" result for the image.

Doğruluk Payı stated that the spatial elements in the image do not match the known structure of Söğütlüçeşme. While a large wall, a third railway line, and a bridge-like structure under the viaduct are seen in the shared image, the investigation indicates that these elements are not present in the park under the station.

DETAILS IN THE IMAGE DO NOT MATCH

The investigation also referred to Google Earth images from 2007. Accordingly, past satellite images of the region show that the layout seen in the image in the claim is not compatible with the surroundings of Söğütlüçeşme Train Station; the viaduct ends at Kurbağalıdere Street.

Discussions regarding the surroundings of Söğütlüçeşme are not new. While the loss of function of Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations during Marmaray works was being debated, the opening of the area around Söğütlüçeşme Train Station to commercial spaces remained on the agenda for a long time. The park under the station was closed in November 2013 due to Marmaray works.

With the zoning plans approved by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in 2019, it was planned to open the area to commercial, social, and cultural uses. As a result of the lawsuit filed by the Kadıköy Municipality and professional chambers, the 2019 plans were canceled in 2021; however, the ministry made changes to the plans and re-approved them on December 3, 2021.

An "EIA Not Required" decision was given for the project on July 6, 2022. The lawsuit filed against this decision was rejected, and the rejection decision was upheld by the Council of State. Fıratcan İnşaat, which is carrying out the project, had announced that there would be no shopping mall in the area; the areas under the viaduct would be arranged as food and beverage, social, and culture-art spaces. However, it is stated that 108 commercial units are planned in the project.

According to the statement by Akfen GYO, Terminal Kadıköy, which has 16 thousand square meters of leasable area, became operational on May 1, 2025. Due to the fact that the area was not utilized as a park, boycott calls and posts criticizing the transformation continued on social media.

In the investigation by Doğruluk Payı, it was stated that some "previous state" images used in Diken's 2022 news report were also understood to belong to the period when the area remained idle after it was closed. Photos from 2012 on Flickr show that the park was illuminated and had landscaping arrangements before it was closed.

As a result, although discussions regarding the past of Söğütlüçeşme and the transformation in the area continue as a separate agenda, it has been determined that the image in question, which was circulated on social media as the "old state of the station," is not a real photograph and bears traces of artificial intelligence production.