Thieves attempt to steal one-ton Atatürk statue

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

The thieves were trying to separate the statue, which weighs around a ton, from its base with a rudimentary iron cutter, when locals alerted the police. DHA photo

One individual was arrested while another escaped the police after attempting to steal a statue of Atatürk in Istanbul's Büyükçekmece neighborhood May 6. The thieves were trying to separate the statue, which weighs around a ton, from its base with a rudimentary iron cutter, when locals saw them and alerted the police.

The arrested 19-year-old suspect, identified as Y.E.U., was sent to court as police began a search for his accomplice. The suspects had intended to sell the brass from the statue for 20 Turkish Liras per kilo, officials said.

Meanwhile, Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün expressed indignation for the attempt to steal the statue of Turkey's founder. "It's the first time in Büyükçekmece that there has been such a despicable attack against Atatürk. I don't deem it likely that any Büyükçekmece resident could do such an impertinent thing. I condemn the individuals who sold their national and moral values for money," he said.