Famous Turkish heart surgeon shot in gun attack

KARS – Doğan News Agency

Doctors at Kars State Hospital said Sözmez’s condition was not life-threatening. AA Photo

Famous heart surgeon Bingür Sönmez has been injured in a gun attack after assailants opened fire in the eastern province of Kars’ Sarıkamış district.

Sözmez, who is the head of the Sarıkamış Cooperation Group, was attending a ceremony in the district on Aug. 24. The assailants, reportedly two people, first shouted his name and then shot him in the leg and arm when he turned toward them.

Doctors at Kars State Hospital said Sözmez’s condition was not life-threatening.

The attacker who shot the surgeon was İlhan Özbilen, the former mayor of Sarıkamış, who reportedly has a conflict with Sönmez over the ceremonies for the commemoration of the Sarıkamış martyrs, who died during World War I. The second person in the attack was Özbilen’s nephew, reports said.

Özbilen has been sen to police station after being detained.

Kars Gov. Günay Özdemir has confirmed the former mayor’s detention.