Turkey says DNA shows Istanbul bomber was suspected ISIS member
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said Sunday that the suicide bomber who killed five people and wounded 36 was a suspected member of the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
“The Istanbul suicide bomber is identified as 24-year-old Mehmet Ozturk, born in Gaziantep,” Ala told reporters. He said the bomber, who died in the attack, was “a suspected member of ISIS.”
DNA testing had identified the suspect, the minister said: “The suicide bomber was identified using blood sample from his family.”
“Five suspects, including Ozturk’s brother and father, have been arrested so far in connection with yesterday’s attack,” Ala added.
Saturday’s attack in Istanbul’s Istiklal Street killed five people, all of them foreigners, in the sixth suicide bombing in Turkey over the past year. Several foreigners were among the 36 wounded.
“The Istanbul suicide bomber is identified as 24-year-old Mehmet Ozturk, born in Gaziantep,” Ala told reporters. He said the bomber, who died in the attack, was “a suspected member of ISIS.”
DNA testing had identified the suspect, the minister said: “The suicide bomber was identified using blood sample from his family.”
“Five suspects, including Ozturk’s brother and father, have been arrested so far in connection with yesterday’s attack,” Ala added.
Saturday’s attack in Istanbul’s Istiklal Street killed five people, all of them foreigners, in the sixth suicide bombing in Turkey over the past year. Several foreigners were among the 36 wounded.