Two arrestees flee Istanbul courthouse

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Two suspects awaiting a hearing at Istanbul’s Bakırköy Courthouse succeeded in escaping after a group of 10 prisoners broke the lock to their cell.

The suspects, who were arrested on separate charges, had been transferred from Silivri prison to Bakırköy Courthouse for hearings on Nov. 13. The men broke the lock and escaped by taking advantage of a melee that erupted in the courthouse.

Eight of them were captured in the building while the other two managed to flee.

Security forces have launched an operation to apprehend the fugitives.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office also released a statement, saying a probe had been launched into the incident.