Suspect who kicked a cat in a mosque detained: Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launches ex officio investigation
A person seen kicking a cat during prayers at a mosque in Erzurum has been detained following public outcry on social media.
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Legal proceedings have been initiated against a suspect seen kicking a cat while the congregation was performing prayers at the Adalar Mosque in the Aziziye district of Erzurum. Following the spread of the incident on social media, the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation.
Security camera footage recorded during the night prayer (yatsı) on August 25, 2026, shows a cat wandering inside the mosque entering between the legs of a person in the front rows of the congregation, at which point the person is seen kicking the cat. The footage also captures the moment the cat was launched into the air, hit the imam's head, and fell to the ground.
Following the posts, police teams identified the suspect. In a statement, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the suspect had been detained and that the investigation is continuing under the Animal Protection Law.
“As a result of the work carried out, the suspect has been identified and detained. Investigation procedures are continuing meticulously and in a multi-faceted manner.”
It was learned that the cat is in good health following the incident and has no injuries. It was stated that proceedings regarding the suspect are ongoing as part of the investigation.