Turkey: Fracas leads train crash trial to change courts

TEKIRDAG, Turkey

A trial over a deadly train crash in northwestern Turkey last year took an unexpected turn Wednesday when a fracas broke out in the courtroom, resulting in the case moving to another court.

When relatives of the 25 crash victims, politicians and lawyers were unable to enter the courtroom in Corlu, in the Tekirdag province, a quarrel broke out with the police.

The lawyers claimed the police assaulted them and demanded a criminal complaint against the court and the police.

When the prosecutor agreed to a probe, the judges recused themselves and sent the case to Corlu’s No. 2 High Criminal Court for further evaluation.

At least 25 people were killed and 340 injured when a passenger train derailed in Tekirdag on July 8, 2018.

The train, carrying 362 passengers and six train crew, was traveling from the Edirne province to Istanbul when the accident occurred.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur