An English tourist and amateur boxer has been arrested after allegedly beating a taxi driver into a coma following a dispute over the fare in Istanbul.
The incident took place in the Göktürk neighbourhood of Eyüp district, a suburb of Istanbul, in the early hours of Friday, 25 April.
Taxi driver Kadir Biçer, 56, picked up the suspect, named in local media only by the initials R.K., from Istanbul Airport to take him to Beyoğlu district.
An English tourist and amateur boxer, Ross Kitchen, (Pictured) has been arrested after allegedly beating a taxi driver into a coma following a dispute over the fare in Istanbul on Friday, 25 April.
Witnesses said R.K. was allegedly intoxicated and had earlier caused disturbances at the airport before Biçer agreed to drive him.
The pair reportedly began arguing about the fare during the journey.
Biçer and a colleague who were finishing their shifts were driving a separate taxi back home with the argumentative boxer travelling with Biçer, who had agreed to take him despite others apparently refusing, because his home was close to the hotel the boxer wanted to visit.
An English tourist and amateur boxer, Ross Kitchen, (Pictured) has been arrested after allegedly beating a taxi driver into a coma following a dispute over the fare in Istanbul on Friday, 25 April.
The friend, who was worried about the decision to take the Brit, lost sight of Biçer's vehicle and turned back to find him unconscious and severely beaten on the roadside.
Biçer was rushed to hospital by his colleague and admitted to intensive care where he remains in a coma with life-threatening injuries.
Reports say the victim suffered multiple facial fractures and extensive injuries.
Police tracked down and arrested R.K., who reportedly confirmed he was a boxer during his interrogation.
Following his questioning, R.K. was brought before a court and remanded in custody pending trial.
Biçer's brother, Hüseyin Biçer, said they fear R.K. could leave Turkey without facing justice because he is a foreign national.
He said his brother's face was "completely shattered" and that the family are anxiously awaiting news from doctors.
An English tourist and amateur boxer has been arrested after allegedly beating taxi driver Kadir Biçer, 56, (pictured) into a coma following a dispute over the fare in Istanbul on Friday, 25 April.
He said: "The bones in his face were broken. It's not very promising; the shape of his face has completely changed, it is basically in ruins."
Photographs of Biçer in hospital show extensive bruising and swelling.
Footage released by Turkish police shows the suspect being led into custody.
Some local media outlets have identified the suspect as "Ross Kitchen," although this name has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
An English tourist and amateur boxer has been arrested after allegedly beating taxi driver Kadir Biçer, 56, (pictured) into a coma following a dispute over the fare in Istanbul on Friday, 25 April.
One user said: "This is horrifying, I hope the taxi driver recovers fully."
A reader commented: "The authorities must ensure the foreigner is held accountable."
Another user said: "No one should get away with this just because they are a tourist."
A reader posted: "It's shocking that a professional fighter would use their skills in this way."
Another wrote: "Prayers for the taxi driver and his family."
(By International Correspondent Ajda Ender/newsX)