Turkish astrologer arrested for 'speculating' on health of government’s far-right ally Bahçeli

Astrologer Hilal Saraç, who was accused of insulting President Tayyip Erdoğan and far-right leader Devlet Bahçeli, was arrested after making "predictions" regarding Bahçeli's health.

Sunday February 09 2025 02:59 am

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Astrologer Hilal Saraç was arrested by a Turkish court after being accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on social media.

After news of Bahçeli's health earlier this week, Saraç shared a post suggesting that Bahçeli had serious lung problems and breathing difficulties, claiming that she was the "best medical astrologer" in the country.

After the announcement on Feb. 5 regarding Bahçeli visiting the hospital for health checks, Saraç had reposted her earlier “prediction” from Dec. 27, 2024, suggesting that Bahçeli might “fall seriously ill.”

Additionally, she speculated that early elections would take place and that one of the political leaders would pass away before the elections.

Saraç, who had also appeared on TV shows, defended herself by stating that “medical astrology is a branch of astrology, where health potentials are interpreted based on one’s astrological chart,” and she is an expert in this field.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation based on the accusations, and Saraç was taken into custody. She was later arrested by the court.