The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) building in Sultangazi district of Istanbul was targeted by an armed attack yesterday. Two suspects have been detained in connection with the attack on Sunday. According to the Istanbul police, images from a surveillance camera led to the men being suspected of the crime. A third suspect is being sought.

A false licence plate on a vehicle in the camera detection area put the police on the trail of the main suspect. His apartment was searched and the police found several weapons, magazines and ammunition. The man is said to be a criminal known to the police who has a criminal record for illegal possession of firearms, property damage and trespassing. During his detention, evidence of the involvement of other persons in the offence became more apparent as the investigation is ongoing.

The DEM Party, like its predecessor party HDP, is frequently the target of violent attacks. In May, 14 shots were fired at the DEM office in Birecik district of Urfa. The most serious attack on a party building took place in June 2021 at the HDP headquarters in İzmir. Deniz Poyraz, a 38-year-old Kurdish woman, was murdered with six bullets in the building by a self-confessed fascist and follower of the far-right Grey Wolves organisation.