Attacker on HDP office in Istanbul released

The attacker on the HDP office in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district has been released. The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul District Court released Muhammed Eren Sütçü on Monday. No reasons have been given for the release as the investigation file is covered by a secrecy order.

“The government, which promotes attacks on our party with its policy of impunity, is thus making itself responsible for future attacks against the HDP,” the local branch of the party said in a statement.

Sütçü, armed with two pistols and a bread knife, entered the office in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district around noon on Tuesday last week under the pretext of wanting to join the HDP. When tea was served, he tried to fire one of his weapons without success and injured a party member with his knife. Another HDP activist was injured when he tried to stop Sütçü, who poured hot tea on him. The attacker, who initially fled, was discovered shortly afterwards in a nearby bakery and arrested.

Despite death threats made to the HDP members present and the carrying of at least one firearm – the other pistol is said to be a scare gun – the public prosecutor’s office is not investigating Sütçü for attempted murder, but only for threatening with a weapon and slight bodily harm. The district association of the HDP in Bahçelievler has announced legal action against the court’s decision and protests.