Two suspects released in Fenerbahçe bus shooting probe

TRABZON - Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

Two people detained over an armed attack on the bus of Turkish football team Fenerbahçe were released on probation on April 8, according to Rahmi Üstün, mayor of the Sümene district in the Black Sea province of Trabzon.

A Trabzon court ordered the release of the suspects due to a lack of concrete evidence connecting them to the gun attack.

Turkish police detained the suspects on April 7, according to police sources. The court also banned the two from leaving the country. 

The team bus came under fire late April 4 in Trabzon’s Araklı district, leaving serious facial injuries to the vehicle’s driver, Ufuk Kıran.

The club was making its way toward Trabzon’s airport following a 5-1 Spor Toto Super League victory at nearby Çaykur Rizespor.

Kıran was struck by glass caused by bullets hitting the bus’ windows, resulting in him losing control of the vehicle while proceeding along a viaduct. Serdal Kılıç, a team security official sitting next to Kıran, managed to press the brakes to prevent the bus from careening over the edge of the bridge.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decided to suspend all first-tier Spor Toto Super League games, along with the Ziraat Turkey Cup match-ups, for one week on April 6 following the attack.