Heavily outnumbered, Irish tourist fights off an angry mob in Istanbul

Aug 26, 2015

Beset by an angry mob and being beaten by sticks, one man captured on camera fighting off his assailants in Istanbul has been widely praised online.

And the individual in question has been identified on social media and by Turkish media as Irish citizen, Mohammed Fadel Dobbous.

Indeed, Kuwait-born Mohammed – furthermore described as a professional boxer – is being heralded as something of a hero for standing up to the mob of local shopkeepers.

He had been at a market in Istanbul's Aksaray neighbourhood and was seemingly looking for a bottle of water.

Will you marry me Mohammed Fadel Dobbous?

— BakteriPlaa (@BakteriPlaa) August 26, 2015

Upon opening the fridge door in one establishment, he sent dozens of bottles flying to the ground – something which evidently greatly irked the stick-wielding shop owner.

Irish tourist (a boxer) who beat up a herd of shopkeeper jackals in Istanbul has gained much sympathy from many Turks, including me.

— Candan Badem (@CandanBadem) August 25, 2015

A large group of fellow proprietors then came to defend their colleague, some carrying sticks or stools.

However, footage of the incident, which is believed to have occurred at the beginning of this month, shows the besieged man defying unfavourable odds by taking the attackers on one by one.

Even when Mr Dobbous has a stool thrown over him and one shopkeeper hits him repeatedly with a stick, he hardly seems to flinch.

A spokesman for the Boxing Union Of Ireland told Mirror Online today that "there is no licensed boxer," by the name Mohammed Fadel Dobbous registered with them. The Irish Amateur Boxing Association has said it is currently looking into the matter.

The widespread support for the Irishman follows a series of crimes by shopkeepers in Turkey.