On June 28, 2016, at 9:22 PM, the Istanbul Atatürk Airport attack marked a dark day in the history of Turkey and the world. The ISIS-led atrocity resulted in the deaths of 45 people and injuries to 236 others.
On December 12, six of the seven suspects sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment 46 times for planning the attack were released following a decision by the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals. The court cited “inadequate fair sentencing” as the reason, sparking widespread public outrage.
CHP’s Strong Reaction: “A Legal Scandal”
Murat Emir, the Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairperson of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), expressed harsh criticism of the releases in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey:
“Those responsible for the atrocity that claimed 45 lives have been released. If this decision is true, it is an outright legal scandal.”
Details of the Incident
The attack involved three assailants of Dagestani-Russian, Kyrgyz, and Uzbek origin, who first opened fire with long-barreled weapons on people before carrying out a suicide bombing. Following the attack, a national mourning period was declared in Turkey on June 29, with flags flown at half-mast.
The Judicial Process
In 2018, the 13th High Criminal Court in Istanbul sentenced six suspects to life imprisonment for “violating the constitution” and “premeditated murder.” Another suspect received a 12-year sentence for “membership in a terrorist organization.”
However, the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned the verdict, citing “errors in the degree of aggravation,” leading to the release of six out of seven suspects.
National and International Responses
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack, stating, “It is evident that this atrocity was organized to serve as propaganda against our country.”
The international community expressed solidarity, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg strongly condemning the attack. Flags at NATO headquarters in Brussels were lowered to half-mast.
The Background of ISIS
Known for its brutal operations in Iraq and Syria, ISIS traces its origins to the “Tawhid and Jihad” group established in Afghanistan. In 2014, ISIS seized vast territories in Mosul and Syria, the same year it stormed Turkey’s Mosul Consulate, taking staff hostage.
Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria and U.S.-led airstrikes eventually led to the loss of ISIS-held territories.
Source: (tr.euronews.com)
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