The parents of a 21-year-old drug addict went to the police to teach their son a lesson but had a second thought after charges, carrying a prison term of up to 30 years, were filed against him.

The son, identified as Ali Ö. in a report by daily Hürriyet, sold his mother's two gold bracelets to buy himself some drugs in June. An argument ensued and the mother, Havva Ö. from Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul called the police.

The police found the son pinned on the floor by the father, Muhammed Ö, who handed over the drug and money found on his son. He said that he suspected the boy was also dealing narcotics.

On June 30, an Istanbul court ordered the son's arrest. When the prosecutor's office filed charges that carried a heavy sentence, the two parents came forward claiming that they only lied to teach their son a lesson.

They told the court that they were desperate to get their son, who has been using drugs since he was 16, treated and requested the court to release him so he can receive state-administered drug treatment.