Police detained M.N, a Turkish Armenian, for the assault and killing of elderly Armenian women in Istanbul's Samatya district.
According to various news sources, the 38 year-old suspect who has been detained yesterday, had a previous criminal record with assault convictions.
Police said blood samples taken from the suspect matched with what they collected on the purse of Maritsa Küçük, who was stabbed severely on December 28.
Following forensic examination, the suspect was transferred to an Istanbul court.
Several human rights activists rallied in Istanbul's Samartya neighborhood, claiming that the assaults had a "racist" agenda.
Timeline of events
* On January 23, Sultan Aykar, a 83 year old Armenian woman, was severely attacked in Istanbul’s Samatya district on Tuesday evening, leaving her lose vision in one eye.
* On January 6, the Apostolic Christmas, another woman with Armenian origin was saved from 3 individuals who attempted to kidnap her. While suspects have not been caught, locals said suspects tried to deceive the victim over a payment issues.
* On December 28, Maritsa Küçük (84) was found stabbed to death in her Samatya apartment where she was living alone for years.
* On November 28, Turfanda Aşık (87) with Armenian descendant was found battered in her Samatya apartment. She was hospitalized for two week and lost vision in one of her eyes. (NV/BM)
