Trial for Istanbul nightclub attack suspects due in December
Shooter Abdulkadir Masharipov could face dozens of consecutive life sentences if convicted on 39 murder charges
Turkey’s state-run news agency said a court has announced that the first hearing for 57 suspects involved in the deadly New Year’s nightclub attack in Istanbul will take place in December.
Shooter Abdulkadir Masharipov, an Uzbek citizen who was caught two weeks after the attack, will be tried on the charges of attempting to overthrow Turkey’s constitutional order and killing 39 people. If convicted, he could face 40 consecutive life sentences.
Anadolu news agency said Wednesday the first hearing will take place on December 11.
Masharipov also faces charges of membership in a terror group, attempted murder of 79 injured and other alleged crimes.
Other suspects, including Masharipov’s wife, are indicted for similar charges.
One of the victims of the terror attack at the nightclub was 19-year-old Israeli Lian Zaher Nasser, from the Arab-Israeli town of Tira.
Her friend Ro’a Mansour, 18, was also hurt in the shooting attack.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the shooting in the upscale Reina nightclub.