Arda Turan has been told he could face up to 12-and-a-half years in prison as his court case for an alleged assault on a famous singer begins. It was alleged that the, currently on loan at Istanbul Basaksehir, broke pop star Berkay Sahin’s nose in a row over the artist’s wife.
Arda Turan in court
Turan was then further accused of brandishing a gun and asking the singer to shoot him as he apologised to Berkay in hospital.
The footballer is facing four charges. He denies all the charges.
Turkey star Turan’s trial began in Istanbul today, with police reportedly putting extra security measures in place near the hearing room.
It has since been adjourned until June 19.
Turan was alleged to have started talking to Sahin’s wife, Ozlem Ada, in a nightclub.
He was said to have told her: “If I was not married, I wouldn’t miss a girl like you.”
It was then claimed Berkay went to confront Turan, 32, and told his wife to go home so he could talk “man to man” with the former Atletico Madrid star.
The singer Berkay Sahin, right, arrives for the court case
Turan is alleged to have broken Berkay’s nose with a punch during the fracas that occurred last October.
He is then alleged to have gone to a hospital with a gun and told the singer: “I didn’t know she is your wife. I’m sorry. Shoot me if you want.”
Reports in Turkey and Spain have said how Turan could spend between three and 12-and-a-half years behind bars.