Turkey: Son of Somali President to Face Trial Over Car Accident

Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated on Thursday that he expects the son of the Somali president to return to Turkey in the coming days to stand trial in a case regarding a car accident that resulted in a fatality while he was using a diplomatic vehicle. Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud was driving a vehicle belonging to the Somali consulate on November 30 when he hit a delivery worker on a motorcycle in central Istanbul, causing serious injuries. He left the country on December 2 after police interrogated him. An arrest warrant was issued after the delivery worker died in the hospital. Tunç told reporters in Ankara that he discussed the incident in a conversation with his Somali counterpart, and that Somali authorities are dealing with the matter "in good faith." He added, "We have held meetings with Somali judicial authorities. In the coming days, the suspect will come to Turkey, and the trial process will begin," expressing hope for the trial to start soon. A Turkish official told Reuters this week that Ankara, which enjoys good relations with Somalia, has requested information from Somali authorities regarding the case and the use of a diplomatic vehicle. Somali officials have not commented on the case.