Turkish Prosecutor Seeks 3000-Year Sentence for Istanbul Bomber

The chief prosecutor of Istanbul has requested a sentence of up to 3000 years for Syrian citizen Ahlam Albashir, who is accused of carrying out a terrorist attack on Istiklal Street, resulting in the deaths of six people. This was reported by Anadolu Agency on Monday, March 6.

Among the charges against Albashir are "violating the unity of the state and the integrity of the country," participation in a terrorist organization, child murder, and illegal possession of dangerous substances. In total, the prosecutor's office has sought seven life sentences for the woman, according to the agency's report.

According to prosecutors, Albashir and the second assailant, the fugitive Bilal Hasan, are scouts for the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States. The indictment mentions 36 individuals, Anadolu reports.

The first court hearing regarding the attack is scheduled for May 9. The explosion on the tourist street of Istiklal in central Istanbul occurred on November 13, 2022. As a result, six people were killed and nearly a hundred were injured. According to Turkey's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the order to carry out the terrorist act came from the Syrian city of Kobani.

At the end of February, Turkey's national intelligence agency reported the assassination of one of the alleged organizers of the attack, Khalil Menji.