Turkey’s judiciary remembers slain prosecutor

ISTANBUL

A Turkish prosecutor murdered in a terrorist attack in Istanbul last year has been remembered in a ceremony attended by senior lawyers and justice officials.

Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz was killed during an attack on Caglayan courthouse complex last year carried out by the outlawed leftist DHKP-C.

Kiraz had been taken hostage on March 31 by two DHKP-C terrorists, who gained access to the building posing as lawyers.

The prosecutor was shot in the head and injured by his captors after hours of negotiations between Turkish police and the two hostage-takers. He later died of his wounds in hospital.

“We will not forget you or let you be forgotten,” said Istanbul’s Chief Prosecutor Hadi Salihoglu.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin, senior officials from the Justice Ministry, plus prosecutors and judges also participated in the service.

Kiraz had been overseeing the high-profile case of Berkin Elvan, 15, who was critically injured during 2013’s Gezi Park protests and died after almost nine months in a coma.

Chief Prosecutor Salihoglu said the court had issued red alerts for arrest of nine members of the outlawed group considered responsible for Kiraz’s death.

The DHKP-C was founded in 1978. Purportedly supporting a Marxist-Leninist ideology, it was mostly active during the Cold War era. The group has revived its attacks in recent years.

Targeting security officials, high-profile politicians and carrying out suicide bombings, the DHKP-C is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

After the killing, the security measures at the court complex were increased. Security screening for those that want to enter into the building has become stricter.

Lawyers have to show a card issued by Turkey’s bar associations and their belongings have to go through X-ray machines.

Fingerprint sensors have been installed at prosecutors’ doors and security guards have been placed on watch.