Attack on HDP Bahçelievler office: Assailant released from detention

* Photo: HDP Bahçelievler / Twitter

Click to read the article in Turkish

Muhammed Eren Sütçü, who launched an armed and knife attack on the İstanbul Bahçelievler District Organization of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was released from detention today (January 3).

Following the related procedures at the security directorate, the assailant was referred to the İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.

Giving his statement as to the charged offense of "armed threat and injury" at the prosecutor's office, Sütçü was referred to the İstanbul 3rd Criminal Judgeship of Peace to be arrested. The judgeship has ruled that the assailant shall be released from detention.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), lawyers have not been informed about the record of statement of the assailant at the prosecutor's office or the reasons for his release from detention. 

Gülüm: It means 'go on with your action'

The HDP Bahçelievler District Organization has denounced the decision on its Twitter account, briefly saying, "The assailant who attacked our party has been released by the court that he was referred to. The government, which encourages attacks on our party with a policy of impunity, is the responsible party and the instigator of all possible attacks."

On the official Twitter account of the HDP Central Office, it is said, "This decision indicates that murderers are patted on the back and assailants are encouraged. We will not stay silent in the face of these crimes and accomplices. We will definitely bring them to account."

HDP MP Züleyha Gülüm has also lashed out at the court decision: "Releasing a person who came to commit a massacre means saying, 'Go on with your action.' This government and its judiciary instructed by it are responsible for the attacks that may target our party from this point on."

What happened?

On December 28, 2021, Muhammed Eren Sütçü launched a knife and armed attack on the İstanbul Bahçelievler District Organization Office of the HDP, wounding Ramazan Dışarı and Aziz Şimşek.

The party members tried to stop the assailant who then fled to a nearby bakery. The police came to the scene of the incident afterwards and took the assailant into custody. Assailant Sütçü was taken to the İstanbul Security Directorate on Vatan Avenue in Fatih district.

A confidentiality order was imposed on the file. (TP/SD)