Son of Somali President Faces Justice in Turkey and Court Cancels Arrest Warrant

The Turkish state television channel "TRT" reported that a Turkish court today (Friday) canceled an arrest warrant against the son of the Somali president after he appeared in court regarding a case related to a diplomatic car accident he was driving. Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, son of the Somali president, was driving a vehicle belonging to the Somali consulate on November 30 when his car collided with a delivery motorcycle in central Istanbul. The delivery worker suffered serious injuries. Mahmoud left the country on December 2 after being questioned by the police. An arrest warrant was issued after the delivery worker died in the hospital on December 6. Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated last month that he expected Mahmoud to return to Turkey to participate in the court proceedings. TRT reported that Mahmoud arrived in Istanbul and appeared in court this afternoon, where he reiterated his previous defense during the session. Mahmoud had previously told the prosecutor that the motorcyclist was responsible for the accident. The court ruled to cancel Mahmoud's arrest warrant and exempted him from attending future sessions in the ongoing case. The prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of up to six years for Mahmoud on charges of "causing death by negligence."