3 suspects remanded over Russian envoy’s assassination

ANKARA

Three suspects, including two police officers, were remanded in custody Thursday in connection to the assassination of Andrey Karlov, Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, according to a security source.

Police detained seven suspects -- Kaan Bulbul, Sefa K., Ufuk G., Kadir S., Oguzhan O., Dogukan S. and Bilal D. earlier Thursday as part of the ongoing investigations led by the Office of Chief Public Prosecutor in Ankara, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Bulbul, who is a police officer, was remanded later by an Ankara court pending trial on charges of "being members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)" and sent to the Sincan prison in Ankara. 

FETO, led by U.S. based leader Fetullah Gulen, is the mastermind behind the failed July 15 coup attempt, according to Turkey. 

The court ruled to release Sefa K., while releasing other five suspects under judicial control.

In the early hours of Thursday, two other suspects -- police officer Sercan Baser and tradesman Enes Asim Silin -- were also remanded over the same charges in Ankara. 

Karlov was fatally shot Dec. 19 by Mevlut Mert Altintas as the diplomat delivered a speech at an art exhibition in the Turkish capital.

Altintas was later shot dead in an exchange of fire with security personnel.