Energy Minister Taner Yıldız was punched in the face on 19 April in Şırnak (south-eastern Anatolia) when he was attending the funeral of Senior Captain Levent Çetinkaya. Minister Yıldız's nose got broken and he underwent medical treatment in hospital.

The attacker, Şahin Şimlek, was arrested yesterday (20 April). Apparently, he said "Take this for the initiative" right before his attack, referring to the government's democratic initiative as part of the solution for the Kurdish question.

Şimlek was taken to the Training and Research Hospital in Kayseri (central Anatolia) for a health check before he was brought to the Courthouse. The court decided to prosecute Şimlek and keep him in detention.

The Bar Association of Kayseri appointed lawyer Yusuf Çakmak for Şimlek's defence according to the Criminal Procedural Code (CMK).

"I did everything for Turkey"

Before entering the court house, Şimlek said, "The greatest love is the divine love. I love the children of this country. Everything is for Turkey".

As reported by the Anatolian News Agency, Şimlek's mother Ayşe Öz stated that her son takes tranquillizers occasionally. His aunt Şengül Coşkun mentioned adverse influences within the family.  

Education Minister Nimet Çubukçu announced that PE teacher Şimlek was suspended from his position at the Vocational High School in Kayseri and that an investigation has been launched.

At the same time, the Governor of Kayseri required inspectors from the Ministry of the Interior to investigate the incident. The Ministry appointed two inspectors.

Erdoğan: Background of the attacks must be highlighted

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said about the attack, "We disapprove of this sort of incidents. People who do not tolerate the union, the solidarity and the integrity of our country utilize the funerals of the fallen. Where do these people belong to, what do they want? All this will be revealed. They have a background".

Former Co-Chair of the closed Democratic Society Party (DTP) Ahmet Türk was punched by İsmail Çelik in Samsun last week. (TK/VK)