Turkey opens legal proceedings for US embassy shooting

Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul has given a go ahead to legal proceedings against four US Embassy shooting suspects on the charges of carrying out a hostile act against a foreign state, AA reported on Sunday (Sep. 16).

The Chief Prosecutor’s Office in capital Ankara had sent a request for starting legal proceedings, according to information gathered by Anadolu Agency.

The summary of proceedings was based on article 306 of the Penal Code, which requires permission from the justice minister.

The suspects Ahmet Celikten, Osman Gundas, Ersin Bayram and T.B.K. were involved in the drive-by shooting on Aug. 20 in capital Ankara.

Investigations reveal the suspects Gundas and Bayram had communicated with Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) through cellphones.

The anti-terror branch of Ankara’s Security Directorate found that Gundas shared videos of Fetullah Gulen, the ringleader of the group behind the July 15, 2016 defeated coup.

It also found out that Bayram downloaded smartphone applications linked to the organization.

According to the Ankara Governor’s Office, Celikten and Gundas confessed to their involvement in the attack.

Footage from city surveillance cameras show that Celikten and Gundas scouted the area outside the embassy building 20 minutes before the attack.