30.06.2012 13:50
One of the two perpetrators of an attack in which two members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attacked a police station in İstanbul's İstinye neighborhood earlier this month was arrested in Sarıyer on Thursday night.
One of the two perpetrators of an attack in which two members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attacked a police station in İstanbul's İstinye neighborhood earlier this month was arrested in Sarıyer on Thursday night.
The İstinye Police Station was attacked by two men with hand grenades and automatic rifles on June 12. Police officers at the station immediately responded with gunfire. One of the attackers was wounded and captured while the other fled the scene. The wounded assailant was taken to Maslak Acıbadem Hospital for treatment but died shortly after.
After the incident, the İstanbul police launched an extensive investigation to identify the dead man and to capture the other assailant, who left behind a bag as he fled the scene. The bag was disposed of by bomb disposal units.
Speaking to the press about the capture of the assailant, İstanbul Governor Avni Mutlu said: "Yesterday, police officers patrolling in the Sarıyer district recognized the man who was one of the assailants of the İstinye police station attack. They captured the terrorist alive."
Mutlu further stated that the man had also participated in another previous terrorist attack in İstanbul's Avcılar district in which a police officer had been killed.
Recalling that he had promised to capture the perpetrator of that incident and bring the assailant to justice, Mutlu added that the police department had worked diligently to capture the assailant. "I want to send my gratitude to the police officers who contributed to the capture of the assailant," Mutlu noted.
Meanwhile, a PKK terrorist surrendered to security officers in the Çukurca district in the eastern province of Hakkari on Friday. The terrorist surrendered to security officers at a military checkpoint located in the Kazan Valley where Turkish Armed Forces frequently conduct operations against the PKK terrorist organization. No weapons or military equipments were found on the surrendered terrorist. The terrorist has been transferred to court.