Kidnapped Turkish gendarmerie officer released in Diyarbakır

DIYARBAKIR - Doğan News Agency

Sergeant Yetkin Beğen was released late July 1 in the Hani district of Diyarbakır province. DHA photo

A gendarmerie sergeant who was kidnapped by militants in Diyarbakır's Lice district was released late July 1 in the countryside of the Hani district.

Yetkin Beğen was taken to Diyarbakır city center and was reported to be in good condition.

He had been stopped at a checkpoint installed by militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) near Lice's Kayacık village late June 28, while driving his private car on the main road linking Diyarbakır to Bingöl. He was kidnapped following an argument with the militants, just hours after clashes between villagers and soldiers in the province had taken place.

Beğen’s car was found burned out on June 29  near forested land. He had been working as part of the gendarmerie's special operations unit in the area.

Tensions have been high in Lice after clashes took place over the construction of a gendarmerie facility in the district.