On Tuesday, a deadly attack unfolded at the Istanbul Justice Palace, also known as the Caglayan courthouse. A man and a woman, who were later identified as attackers, were shot dead following an attempted assault on a security checkpoint at the courthouse. The incident led to the death of one civilian, while six others were left wounded, including three police officers.
Attackers Identified as Members of DHKP-C
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya took to social media to confirm the incident, revealing that the attackers were shot dead at 11:46 a.m. local time. Further investigation identified the attackers as alleged members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, a far-left group deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Footage released by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency showed the assailants being gunned down in the building’s forecourt. Other images depicted terrified individuals seeking shelter by the gates of a metal detector inside the courthouse or running for cover.
Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office Opens Investigation
In the wake of the attack, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation, as announced by Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc. The assault occurred as Turkey commemorated the anniversary of a devastating earthquake in the country’s south that claimed the lives of more than 53,000 people.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at an earthquake commemoration ceremony, said, “The Republic of Turkey will continue to fight against all terrorist organizations and those who support them. I would like to pray for the soul of the injured person who lost their life.”
DHKP-C’s Past Involvement in Terrorist Activities
The DHKP/C has shown a pattern of violent activities in the past, despite being largely inactive in recent years. In March 2015, the group took a prosecutor hostage at the same courthouse, demanding details about the police killing of a teenager during anti-government protests the previous year. The resultant police raid led to the death of two gunmen and the prosecutor.
The group also claimed responsibility for a February 2013 suicide bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. The attack resulted in the death of a Turkish security guard and left four other people wounded.
For more in-depth information on the DHKP/C and their activities, visit the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Istanbul courthouse attack underlines the ongoing threat of terrorist activities in Turkey. As investigations continue, the country remains on high alert, with security forces working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the public.