8 People Detained for Attacking CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu Released

* Photograph: Anadolu Agency

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Nine people were previously taken into custody as part of the investigation into the lynch attempt against main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu after he attended the funeral of a soldier in Çubuk, Ankara. Eight of the detained have been released.

The period of detention of O.S., who was seen to be punching Kılıçdaroğlu in the face, has been extended after he deposed to the Prosecutor's Office.

He admitted having punched Kılıçdaroğlu

After he attacked CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu at the funeral on April 21, O.S. could not be found in his house. One day later, he was caught and detained in the district of Sivrihisar in Eskişehir. O.S. was first taken to the Çubuk Gendarmerie Commandership, then to the Çubuk Courthouse.

In his first deposition at the commandership, O.S. stated that "he was agitated among the crowd" and admitted having punched Kılıçdaroğlu.

O.S. claimed further, "When I saw Kılıçdaroğlu in the crowd, I could not hold my temper and punched him only for once. Then, the crowd took me away."

Eight people 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 last night, 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.

That being the case, eight of the nine suspects have been released.

As stated by Minister of Interior Soylu, all attackers who attempted to lynch Kılıçdaroğlu are from the same village, Akkuzulu. (AS/SD)