"Knock on My Door" star Hande Erçel has been arrested in a drug case.
32-year-old "Knock on My Door" star Hande Erçel, who was previously wanted in a drug case, was detained at Istanbul Airport.
The day before, the prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant for the actress, but she had been abroad for the past month. Erçel returned to Turkey on the next flight and was detained by police at the airport. The star testified in court, and hair and blood samples were taken for testing. She had previously stated on social media that she loves her country and is ready to cooperate with the investigation.
In addition to Hande Erçel, the actress's ex-boyfriend, billionaire Hakan Sabancı, and other celebrities are also involved in the case: Birce Akalay, known for her role in the series "Black and White Love," Dogukan Günger from "Cranberry Sherbet," and "Children of Heaven" star İsmail Hacıoğlu. Amid the arrests of actors as part of the anti-drug operation, which has been actively underway since last fall, some of them have lost their roles or been suspended from filming.
During his testimony, 35-year-old Hakan Sabancı defended his ex-girlfriend, stating that neither he nor she used drugs. "I've never used drugs in my life, nor have I even been in a place where they are present. I know Hande Erçel. This man has never used drugs in my presence," the publication Sozcu quotes the billionaire as saying.
Hande Erçel is one of the most popular and sought-after Turkish actresses. She has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Grazia magazines and collaborates with fashion brands. Her personal life also remains a subject of discussion. The actress dated her "Knock on My Door" co-star Kerem Bürsin, and last year, after two years of romance, she broke up with billionaire Hakan Sabancı, the heir to one of Turkey's richest families.
Photo: handemiyy/Instagram*, MF Yapim, Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images*