Footage shows Syrian child being beaten by restaurant manager

ISTANBUL

A Turkish television network has aired the security camera footage of a Jan. 23 incident in an Istanbul restaurant showing a Syrian refugee child being beaten by a manager for eating a customers’ leftover food.

The incident, which occurred at the Burger King fast food chain’s branch in Şirinevler, precipitated a massive reaction against the restaurant after eyewitnesses shared details and photos showing the bloodied child after the incident. The manager of the branch was fired, as the incident triggered a massive public outcry.

Turkish television network Show TV aired the security camera footage on Jan. 28. Syrian children are seen in the video collecting leftovers in the restaurant, before the manager tries to force them out. A female customer is then seen reacting furiously to the manager for hitting the children, before turning her anger toward other customers who apparently did not initially react. 

Syrian children left the restaurant by throwing away the leftover fries and Turkish media outlets were not able to reach them afterward. A police investigation into the incident continues as of Jan. 29.