Prime ministry police runs over old man, walks free

Fevzi Kızılkoyun ANKARA

Part of President Erdoğan's security retinue is seen next to the presidential bus during a visit to the Black Sea province of Trabzon. DHA Photo

A police officer working in the Turkish Prime Ministry’s security department ran over and killed an 82-year-old man in an official licensed protection car, but has been released pending trial.

The police officer, identified only as M.E., killed Necati Özdemir, on Oct. 31, in Ankara. The police officer was freed on condition of legal control after being taken to court on allegations of causing a fatal traffic accident.

Özdemir was crossing the street in central Ankara when M.E., who was driving alone, hit him in the prime ministry’s car. Özdemir was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

An investigation has been opened into M.E., who was released on condition of legal control, as part of which he must go to a police station every week to sign his control papers.

The prime ministry security department has also opened an investigation into the accident, requesting the necessary information from the related institutions. Recordings of local surveillance cameras are also being examined as part of the investigation.