Turkey issues life sentences to three for deadly 2016 Istanbul attack
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Three suspects were handed down life sentences by a Turkish court over a 2016 terror attack in Istanbul, which claimed the lives of several policemen and civilians, according to Turkish state media.
Shortly after the attack, the miitant group, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), claimed responsibility for the attack in Turkey's largest city.
Twelve people, including six policemen and six civilians, were killed in the bombing that targeted a police bus.
The Turkish court sentenced Eyup Sever and Murat Bal each to 893 years in prison for "violating the constitution" and "premeditated murder", according to state-run media outlet Anadolu Agency.
A third defendant, Gulsah Bahadir, was separately sentenced for the same jail term, also accused of "premeditated murder," Anadolu added.
The July 2016 bombing was one of a spate of attacks that rocked the Turkish economic and tourist hub over the year.
The Turkish government has blamed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) for attacks claimed by the TAK. Both groups, however, deny having any responsibility and deny that they are in any way affiliated with TAK.
Shortly after the attack, the miitant group, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), claimed responsibility for the attack in Turkey's largest city.
Twelve people, including six policemen and six civilians, were killed in the bombing that targeted a police bus.
The Turkish court sentenced Eyup Sever and Murat Bal each to 893 years in prison for "violating the constitution" and "premeditated murder", according to state-run media outlet Anadolu Agency.
A third defendant, Gulsah Bahadir, was separately sentenced for the same jail term, also accused of "premeditated murder," Anadolu added.
The July 2016 bombing was one of a spate of attacks that rocked the Turkish economic and tourist hub over the year.
The Turkish government has blamed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) for attacks claimed by the TAK. Both groups, however, deny having any responsibility and deny that they are in any way affiliated with TAK.