Turkey detains 49 suspects linked to Istanbul bombing

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Nov 2022 12:41

The Turkish authorities take 49 suspects to court over involvement in the terrorist bombing that targeted Istiklal Street in Istanbul, including the one who placed the bomb.

Turkey: 49 detainees in the Istanbul bombing case are referred to the judiciary

49 suspects were referred to the Turkish judiciary in connection with the bombing that targeted Istiklal Street in Istanbul, which killed 8 people and injured more than 80 others.

Turkish media reported on Thursday the transfer of 49 detainees out of 51, including the female bomber.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu announced on November 14 the arrest of the suspect who left the explosive, accusing the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) of being behind it, while the latter denied any role in the bombing.

The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had confirmed that the perpetrators of the terrorist bombing will receive the appropriate punishment, stressing that the terrorist organizations' attempt to attack Turkey will fail.

The bombing took place just after 4 pm (local time) at the height of traffic on Istiklal Street in Istanbul.

The area is a hub for tourists from different countries of the world, and it witnesses overcrowding most of the time.

Istiklal Street, located in the historical neighborhood of Beyoglu, is one of the most famous streets in Istanbul, extending for about one and a half kilometers, and is entirely dedicated to pedestrians. An old tram runs through it and is lined with shops and restaurants.

The attack, which comes 7 months before the presidential and legislative elections, drew several condemnations, from Pakistan to India and from Italy to Germany, where a large Turkish community resides, as well as from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.