Turkey: Initial probe rules out gun attack on HDP leader

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

An initial probe into damage sustained by the rear window of the car carrying a Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) leader has ruled out gunfire as a likely cause, a regional governor’s office announced Monday.

HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas was in Diyarbakir province Sunday night in southeast Turkey when police discovered the damage to the rear window of his armored car belonging to the municipality.

In a statement, Diyarbakir Governor’s Office said that when the police escort discovered the damage, the vehicle had been parked and there was nobody inside.

"No attack was carried out against him or his car," the statement read.

According to initial findings, a three-by-three centimeter piece of damage was observed on the rear window of the car.

However, a criminal investigation produced no evidence of gunfire, suspecting instead that the damage was caused by a hard object.

The official statement added that a police escort with the provincial security directorate had followed Demirtas throughout his program in the province.

On Monday, Demirtas filed a criminal complaint to Diyarbakir prosecutor's office. The petition submitted by his lawyer asked for an investigation into whether an assassination attempt had taken place.

In addition, the petition criticized the statement issued by the Diyarbakir governorate over being "superficial".

"It is essential to conduct a serious probe as we face a serious claim which cannot be evaded with Diyarbakir police department's pre-criminal report without carrying out a ballistics investigation," the petition read.