Istanbul Governor Davut Gül: 'Both the buyer and the seller know the counterfeit alcohol is fake'

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, in a statement regarding the sale of counterfeit alcohol, emphasized that both buyers and sellers are aware that the alcohol is fake.

Governor Gül made striking remarks regarding the recent increase in deaths in the city caused by counterfeit alcohol. Speaking on a television program he attended on Habertürk, Governor Gül stated that counterfeit alcohol is generally sold "under the counter in plastic bottles" and expressed that both the buyers and the sellers know the alcohol is fake.

The Governor detailed the measures taken against the sale of counterfeit alcohol as follows:

"We have made cameras mandatory for kiosks that sell alcohol. With this practice, which we started in November last year, we made it mandatory for places with alcohol sales licenses to install cameras and record for one month. Currently, these cameras are operational in all licensed kiosks in Istanbul."

Furthermore, Governor Gül stated that inspections have been increased, adding, "We are working in coordination with units such as the Agriculture Directorate, municipal police, district municipalities, and the police department. When illicit or counterfeit alcohol is found in any establishment, in addition to judicial penalties, we notify the district municipalities to revoke the establishment's license."

The Governor emphasized that the measures taken and the inspections conducted are essential to prevent deaths caused by counterfeit alcohol.