Turkish police say negotiations are underway with gunmen who have taken a prosecutor hostage in Istanbul. The far-left Revolutionary People’s
Turkish police say negotiations are underway with gunmen who have taken a prosecutor hostage in Istanbul.
The far-left Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front has published a picture purportedly showing the man with a gun to his head.
Special forces evacuated the courthouse where he was taken, as the group threatened to kill the hostage if their demands were not met.
The prosecutor is leading an investigation into the death of a 15 year old Berkin Elvan, who suffered a head injury during anti-government protests in 2013. The teenager died after nine months in a coma.
The hostage takers are calling for the police officer they blame for Elvan’s death to confess on TV. They also want officers to be tried in what they describe as “people’s courts” and charges against those who attended protests for Elvan to be dropped.
Turkey’s prime minister has been meeting with officials to discuss the hostage situation.