Turkey: Amnesty International condemns Beşiktaş bombing
Amnesty International condemns the bomb attack in central Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district on Saturday evening. According to the Minister of Health, as of Monday the attack had killed 36 police officers and eight civilians. More than one hundred people were reported injured and receiving medical treatment.
There were two blasts. The first was a vehicle bomb packed with 300-400kg of explosives apparently targeting police officers on duty to provide security for the football match. The second blast occurred when a suicide bomber on foot detonated the explosives while surrounded by police.
The timing and location of the reckless attack, outside the Beşiktaş football stadium after a match had taken place could easily have resulted in even more civilian deaths. Such attacks show utter disregard for the right to life and the fundamental principles of humanity.
An armed PKK splinter group known as TAK (Kurdistan Freedom Falcons) claimed responsibility for the attack. Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to respond in line with the rule of law by conducting a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation and to bring all those responsible for the bombing to justice in fair trials.