Istanbul deputy police chief arrested shortly after being released over ‘drug trafficking’

ISTANBUL

AA photo

A court ordered to arrest an Istanbul deputy police chief on Feb. 9 after issuing an arrest warrant, one day after he was released after testifying on charges of drug trafficking, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The suspect, identified only by the initials Ö.C., was sent to the Haseki Training and Research Hospital for a medical examination before referring to the court.

Bakırköy public prosecutor Tarık Bendez had appealed the decision to release the suspect on probation after he testified on charges of renting a house to drug-trafficking suspects and attempting to aid them.

The Bakırköy 3rd Criminal Court of Peace later issued an arrest warrant for the deputy police chief on Feb. 8.

On Feb. 7, police conducted an operation on various addresses after apprehending a drug carrier suspect at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. 

Ö.C. was also detained for his alleged links to the suspects and his attempted support but was subsequently released on probation. 

The deputy police chief, who was later suspended from his duty, pleaded not guilty during his testimony.

“I do not accept this charge was brought against me. I did not get involve any crime until today. I do not have any relation with drug trafficking,” he said.