The Anadolu Agency indicated that the court released three other suspects pending trial. It also ordered the deportation from Turkey of 29 people who were arrested by the police in connection with the attack that took place on Istiklal Street in the famous Taksim district.
The November 13 blast targeted the bustling Istiklal Street – which is lined with shops and restaurants – and left six people dead, including two children. More than 80 others were wounded.
The attack was a shocking reminder of the bombings that hit Turkish cities between 2015 and 2017.
Turkish authorities blamed last weekend’s blast on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as affiliated Syrian Kurdish groups. Kurdish groups denied any role.
Prosecutors questioned the prime suspect in the attack, a Syrian woman accused of leaving a TNT-laden bomb on Istiklal Street, for five hours.
The Anadolu Agency reported that the woman, identified as Ahlam al-Bashir, told her interrogators that she entered Turkey illegally and stayed in a house in Istanbul for four months.
According to the Turkish news agency, Ahlam also admitted to leaving a bag containing an explosive device on a street bench, but claimed that she did not know what was inside.
A trial date is expected after prosecutors prepare the indictment, which could take months.
Turkish police arrested a suspect late Wednesday in the Syrian city of Azaz – which is currently under the control of the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition – and he was questioned.
Al-Fur did not receive information about 29 people facing deportation.
#people #accused #involvement #bloody #Istanbul #bombing