Terrorists of twin Istanbul attacks sentenced to life

ISTANBUL

Four PKK-affiliated suspects in a 2016 Istanbul terror attack killing 46 and injuring hundreds received 47 aggravated life sentences, judicial sources said Wednesday.

Another 10 suspects also sentenced to life after being found guilty of several charges including attempting and aiding multiple murders, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Turkish prosecutors sought multiple life sentences last January for the suspects, along with multiple other counts totaling to 8,358 years.

Twin attacks on Dec. 10, 2016 by an explosive-laden vehicle and a suicide bomber killed 46 people, including 39 police officers, and injured 243 others following a football match in Besiktas, Istanbul .

The 63-page indictment accused the suspects of acting against the unity and solidarity of the state.

The attack was carried out by the PKK-affiliated TAK terror group and ordered by the PKK high command.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur