Prosecutor launches probe into Paris killings suspect

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Güney is the prime suspect of killing of three Kurdish women in Paris. DHA Photo

The Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation on Ömer Güney, the prime suspect in the killings of three Kurdish women in Paris. The 30-year-old suspect was the only name released by the French police connected to the murder of Sakine Cansız, one of the co-founders of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez. Turkish prosecutors will further investigate Güney’s links in Turkey, Anatolia news agency reported.

French prosecutors had officially designated Güney as a suspect in the murders as part of their own investigation. It had initially been revealed that Güney entered the Kurdistan Information Center, where the bodies were found, with Cansız about an hour before the women were shot to death execution-style. The timeframe of Güney entering and exiting the building reportedly matches the estimated times of the murders. He was the last person to be seen with Cansız on security cameras, according to official findings.

The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which represents mainly the Kurdish population, has increased its criticism of the government for not putting more effort into the case. BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş claimed the uncertainty surrounding the murders was blocking the peace process.