CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Files Criminal Complaint Against Attackers

* Photograph: Evrim Aydın - Ankara / AA

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Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the Chair of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has filed a criminal complaint via his attorney Celal Çelik against the ones who attacked him during the funeral of a soldier in Ankara.

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.

CLICK - Attack Against CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu at Funeral of a Soldier

His personal bodyguards, adviser and the ones accompanying him tried to protect Kılıçdaroğlu from the attacks and lynch attempt of the group. As he was prevented from getting into his car, he had to take refuge in a safe house in the vicinity and wait there for one and a half hours.

In the meanwhile, the mob outside the house threw stones, one of them was heard to be shouting, "Burn the house, burn it." Afterwards, Kılıçdaroğlu could be taken out of the house in an armored vehicle safe and sound.

As part of the investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, nine people were detained. Eight of them have been released.

As for O.S., the suspect who was seen to be punching the CHP Chair in the face, was caught and detained in Eskişehir on April 22. Having admitted having punched him in the face in his first deposition, O.S.'s period of detention has been extended. He is still in custody.

The works to identify the ones who attacked Kılıçdaroğlu other than the ones who were taken into custody are still continuing. (AS/SD)