Attacker Who Punched CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Released

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O.S., the last person who was in custody in relation with the lynch attempt against Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu during the funeral of a soldier, has been released from detention on probation.

Attending the funeral of Yener Kırıkçı, a soldier who lost his life during the military operations in Turkey-Iraq border in Hakkari, Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked by a group of people who also attended the funeral in the Neighborhood of Akkuzulu in Çubuk, Ankara on April 21. It was later seen in the videos that O.S. punched the CHP Chair in the face.

Nine people in total were taken into custody in relation with the attack. All suspects, including O.S. who punched Kılıçdaroğlu, have been released.

He was caught and detained outside Ankara

After the attack on April 21, O.S. could not be found in his house. One day later, he was caught in Sivrihisar in Eskişehir and taken into custody.

Admitting having punched Kılıçdaroğlu in the face in his first deposition, O.S.'s period of detention was extended.

O.S. was taken to the courthouse again last night (April 24) and referred to court after deposing to the Prosecutor's Office. The court has ruled that O.S. shall be released on probation.

The judgeship stated that "no relation between the suspects and the terrorist organization could be identified."

After he was released from detention, O.S. went back to the Akkuzulu Neighborhood, where he lives. He was welcomed by his friends and relatives. Some of them kissed his hands.

It was previously reported that O.S., who was a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), would be discharged from the party.

All of the detained have been released

Making a statement regarding the investigation, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu previously announced that nine people in total were taken into custody.

After deposing to the Prosecutor's Office, four of the detained were referred to the judgeship on duty to be released on probation.

Accordingly, the judgeship ruled for the release of these four people on the condition of giving signatures at the police station.

The other three people were released by the Prosecutor's Office and one person was released by the Penal Judgeship of Peace on Duty. No judicial control measures have been imposed on A.R., who was seen to be throwing stones at Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's vehicle.

That being the case, eight of the nine suspects were released. As stated by Minister Süleyman Soylu, all attackers who attempted to lynch Kılıçdaroğlu are from the same village, Akkuzulu.

Minutes say 'there was provocation'

Though Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu alleged that "there was no provocation in the attack", the minutes of the Çubuk District Gendarmerie Commandership indicated that "the suspects provoked the incidents."

In the works of the intelligence and anti-terror branch offices affiliated with the gendarmerie commandership, 37 people were identified to have participated in the physical and verbal attacks.

Kılıçdaroğlu, CHP MPs filed a criminal complaint

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has filed a criminal complaint via his attorney Celal Çelik against the ones who attacked him during the funeral.

CLICK - CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu Files Complaint Against Attackers

CHP Vice Chair Yıldırım Kaya, Ankara MP Murat Emir and a group of people from the party also went to the Çubuk Courthouse yesterday and filed a criminal complaint against the attackers.

Yılıdırım Kaya stated that when they examined the video footages, they identified 31 people having participated in the attack.

What happened?

Attending the funeral of a soldier who lost his life in Hakkari, CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked by a group of people who also attended the funeral in Akkuzulu Neighborhood in Çubuk, Ankara.

Being hit by kicks and punches in the face, Kılıçdaroğlu was taken to a safe house in the vicinity to protect him from the crowd. Kılıçdaroğlu was taken out of the house in an armored vehicle one and a half hour later.

While he was leaving the house, a woman was heard to be shouting, "Burn the house, burn it." (AS/SD)