AKP mayor Erdal Sarı wounded in gun attack in Turkey’s Niğde

NİĞDE

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Erdal Sarı, the mayor of the Central Anatolian province of Niğde’s Altunhisar district, was slightly injured in a gun attack on April 20, Doğan News Agency has reported.   

Sarı, a member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), was injured in his arm, while one child was also reportedly injured in his head in the attack.

The two have been taken to hospital for treatment.

The assailant, identified only as Bayram Ö., fired four shots at Sarı at around midday while he was walking in the square. Sarı was wounded in his arm while a 12-year-old child, identified as Celil Acer, who was passing by the scene was also badly injured in his head.

Bayram Ö. escaped the scene while Sarı and Acer were immediately taken to the Ömer Halisdemir University’s Education and Research Hospital. Acer is reported to be in a critical condition.

Police have launched proceedings to apprehend the assailant. 

Sarı reportedly said in his initial testimony that he did not know who Bayram Ö. is, or the motive behind the attack.

It has been reported that Bayram Ö. has been on supervised released after previously being jailed.