Court issues arrest warrant for Istanbul deputy police chief over ‘drug trafficking’

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court on Feb. 8 issued an arrest warrant for an Istanbul deputy police chief, one day after he was released after testifying on charges of drug trafficking.

Bakırköy public prosecutor Tarık Bendez appealed the decision to release Istanbul deputy police chief Ö.C. on probation after he testified on charges of renting a house to drug-trafficking suspects and attempted to aid them.

The Bakırköy 3rd Criminal Court of Peace later issued an arrest warrant for the deputy police chief on Feb. 8.
On Feb. 7, police conducted an operation on various addresses after apprehending a drug carrier suspect at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport. 

Ö.C. was also detained for his alleged links to the suspects and his attempted support but was subsequently released on probation. 

The deputy police chief, who was later suspended from his duty, pleaded not guilty during his testimony.