One suspect identified in bombing of HDP branches

MERSİN / SARAJEVO

DHA Photo

One suspect has been identified in the attack on two branches of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in southern Turkey, the Turkish president told reporters May 20, along with an HDP party member’s eye-witness claims.

“The Interior Ministry has identified one suspect in the incident. I have closely monitored this investigation, as well as the government, from the very beginning,” said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaking to reporters during a press conference in Sarajevo May 20. 

On May 18, bombs hit two local headquarters of the Kurdish problem-focused HDP in the southern provinces of Adana and Mersin, weeks before the June 7 general election. Hidden in a cargo parcel and a gift-packaged flower pot, the two bombs injured at least three people.

The president’s remarks came as an HDP official in Mersin said he has seen the man who brought the flowers in which the explosives were hidden. 

Yenişehir District Executive Board Member Necmettin Bulut identified the person to be between the ages 30 and 35 with chic clothes, Doğan News Agency reported.

“He was wearing elegant clothes. He was very calm. He asked for the man who serves tea in the office and he even drank a cup of tea when I offered him one. He shook my hand after drinking tea and wished success to us,” said Bulut. 

The police are searching for the assailants by checking security camera footage taken near the HDP buildings in Adana and Mersin.