Turkey has recalled its Consul General in Batumi after images reportedly showing him inside a casino circulated on social media.
Adnan Altay Altınörs was recalled to Ankara by Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the publication of the images. Banu Terzioğlu (above), a Counsellor at Turkey’s Embassy in Tbilisi and a former Consul General in Karlsruhe, has been appointed to replace him.
Terzioğlu is a graduate of Middle East Technical University’s International Relations department and joined Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2005. Her other previous roles include work in protocol, South Asia affairs, European Union affairs and a Ministerial Advisory post. Her appointment suggests Turkey is seeking to move quickly to stabilise its diplomatic presence in Batumi.
The incident has drawn attention because Batumi is one of the Black Sea region’s most visible casino destinations, attracting visitors from neighbouring countries where gambling is restricted or politically sensitive. Turkey prohibits most forms of gambling, while Georgia has developed Batumi as a casino and tourism hub. The contrast has made the city a long-standing destination for cross-border gaming demand, particularly from markets where casino gambling is not widely available.
For the gambling industry, the episode is less a regulatory story than a reminder of Batumi’s unusual position as a regional casino centre. The city continues to benefit from gaming demand linked to neighbouring markets where political, cultural or legal restrictions make casino activity more sensitive.
