3 days ago
Brit comedian facing 3 years in hellish Turkey prison for ‘shoplifting' after ‘accidentally' leaving Zara without paying
A BRIT comedian faces up to three years in a Turkish prison after she forgot to pay at a Zara store.
Cerys Nelmes, from Bristol, claims she absentmindedly wandered out of the shop with clothes before realising she hadn't paid.
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She says she went back to the store in Istanbul to return the items and offered to pay.
But despite this, she was detained and accused of shoplifting.
Nelmes, who is a rising name in the Bristol comedy scene, took to social media to explain the incident.
"On Tuesday I left a Zara store in Istanbul without paying for items," she said.
"I returned straight away and handed the items to staff. I was asked to pay and I said I would and the manager accepted this.
"To cut a long story short I was then taken to a locked room where hours later after no communication from anyone I was taken away by police and held in a police station and was asked to sign things I couldn't read.
"I was put in a prison cell for 24 hours with no food or toilet facilities.
"When I asked for water, I was told they didn't understand me."
Nelmes was brought before a judge the next day, who permitted her release but barred her from leaving Turkey.
She now faces a potential three-year prison sentence.
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The comedian is required to stay in the country while the incident is under investigation.
She has appealed to the public for support in the wake of the incident, fearing she might lose her home back in Britain.
The ongoing proceedings are leading to her losing work and income.
Nelmes has been unable to afford accommodation in Turkey given she had only come for a short holiday but now finds herself banned from leaving.
However, she was offered a place to stay by locals.
She added: "I am ok and have been taken in by a Turkish family who have given me a bed and food.
"I don't deserve all the kind words from people but I am very grateful."
The British Embassy has confirmed it is offering support.
It comes after a British tourist was dragged out of a holiday bar and beaten by staff after allegedly refusing to pay a £460 drinks bill.
Footage from abar in Thailand 's Chiang Mai city shows the holidaymaker being manhandled.
The 26-year-old solo traveller was reportedly charged an inflated 20,000 baht - around £460 - for drinks at the Diamond Karaoke Bar.
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