3 people arrested over physical assault on TİP MP Barış Atay

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

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Three people have been arrested over the physical assault targeting Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Vice Chair and Hatay MP Barış Atay. 

Referred to the Penal Judgeship of Peace in İstanbul, three suspects have been arrested on charge of "deliberate injury."

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), three suspects identified by the Kadıköy District Security Directorate teams were taken into custody by the security forces and taken to the security directorate.

While the investigation into the incident is reportedly still ongoing, the three detained were expected to be referred to courthouse today (September 2).

What happened?

After Specialist Sergeant Musa O. was released from prison despite facing charges for "sexually assaulting" 18-year-old İpek E. and driving her to suicide in Batman province, TİP Hatay MP Barış Atay shared a social media post about the alleged phone messages of Musa O.

Tagging Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Atay said, "You protected and backed a serial rapist. We will make efforts to ensure that it will be held against you for the rest of your life and you will not ever forget it."

In response to this message, Minister Soylu tweeted:

"The left-over of the PKK and DHKP-C [Kurdistan Workers' Party and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front], who became an MP from the HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] upon the instruction of the PKK heads. I cannot be a 'rapist protector,' but you would make quite a rapist... The protector of Tuma [Çelik]; watch out, don't get caught..."

Shortly after Minister Soylu shared this post, Barış Atay, the Vice Chair and Hatay MP of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP), was attacked by a group of five people in Kadıköy, İstanbul on August 31. While Barış Atay and his friends were leaving a restaurant in Kadıköy at around 1.30 a.m., the group attacked him, calling the MP a "traitor."

Taken to the Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital, the MP was treated for a suspected broken rib and trauma. Staying in the hospital until early morning hours, Atay made a statement after he left the hospital. "I am good now, there is nothing serious," he has said and added, "We will hold a press statement on Tuesday." (EKN/SD)