Police Raid Leaves Three Dead In Istanbul

A police officer, an alleged left-wing militant and a civilian bystander have been killed during raid on a flat in Istanbul, Bostancı. Seven more police officers were wounded during the clashes, which began early this morning and lasted about six hours.

Minister of Interior Beşir Atalay said the police operation was planned ahead and 60 places were targeted at once. He stated that the militant killed in Bostancı, Orhan Yılmazkaya was one of the three directors of illegal Revolutionary Headquarters. The group's name was first heard in August 2008, after an ineffective mortar attack to 1st Army Division barracks in Üsküdar, Istanbul. Later, the group owned up to a bomb attack to Justice and Development Party's offices in Istanbul.           

According to CNNTurk's report, the militant intervened in police wireless frequency and made an announcement. He said he's a member of the Revolutionary Headquarters and he won't surrender.

Seven police officers were wounded when they raided the flat at 05.30. A chief officer, Semih Balaban died later in hospital. 

During the clashes, NTV cameraman İlhan Kandaz was slightly wounded when a bullet grazed his ear. A bystander, Mazlum Şeker was shot dead.

Atalay noted that Şeker was outside the police security line when shot by fire from within the flat. He criticized the reporters for disregarding security concerns trying to rush the news. "We'll look into the events to decide if there was a breach by the authorities in taking necessary security measures."

TV channels made a live coverage of the developments from its beginning. By noon, the Supreme Council of Radio and Television imposed a ban on taking images from the scene; this ban was revoked several hours later.(EÖ/AGÜ)