Assailants killed in 'terror attack' at Istanbul courthouse: Turkey
Feb 07, 2024
Istanbul [Turkey], February 7: Two assailants were killed and six people, including three police officers, were injured after a "terrorist attack" at Istanbul's largest courthouse on Tuesday, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The attackers belonged to the leftist extremist group DHKP-C, Yerlikaya announced on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The group has carried out attacks in Turkey in the past.
The assailants, identified as a man and a woman, targeted a security check point at Çaglayan courthouse's entrance at 11:46 am (0846 GMT), Yerlikaya added.
The exact motive behind the incident was not immediately clear. Images on broadcaster CNN Türk showed people fleeing into the courthouse in panic, while gunshots could be heard outside. The courthouse - where serious crimes, including terror charges, are tried - has been the scene of armed attacks in the past.
In 2015, a public prosecutor was killed inside his Çaglayan courthouse office after the DHKP-C took him hostage. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
