ISTANBUL
An Istanbul court arrested on Friday an armed man who lobbed a hand grenade at police officers in front of the historic Dolmabahce Palace.
The suspect, who was identified as 36-year-old Firat Ozcelik, gave his testimony to Istanbul prosecutor Irfan Fidan.
The assailant was arrested for “armed attack,” “possession of explosives” and “being a member of a terrorist organization.”
Istanbul Security Director Selami Altinok said earlier that the suspect had a previous criminal record and served time in jail between 2003 and 2006.
According to the Istanbul police department, the suspect approached the police booth and lobbed a hand grenade, which did not explode.
The suspect then allegedly tried to shoot at police officers using a pistol and rifle. But the police overpowered him when the attacker’s gun misfired and found another grenade.
Later, a bomb disposal squad was called in to defuse the two grenades used in the attack.
