Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launches investigation into terrorist attack

The Ankara  Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the terrorist attack near the Interior Ministry building in the capital.

"The Ankara Prosecutor General's Office has launched an investigation into the terrorist attack at the entrance gate of the General Security Directorate [of the Interior Ministry] on October 1, 2023," the prosecutor's office said in a statement, TASS reports.

In addition, Ankara's duty criminal court ordered a ban on media outlets from broadcasting. This is standard practice in case of terrorist attacks or security incidents. The ban relates to the publication in the media of details of the investigation, information that could harm the investigation or provoke public unrest.

On October 1 morning, two terrorists drove up to the gates of the Interior Ministry building in the centre of Ankara. One of them detonated the explosives on it.

The department's guards opened fire on the attackers. A short exchange of fire ensued, as a result of which the second terrorist was neutralised. Two police officers were lightly wounded. According to reports, there were no casualties.

In relation to the attack, the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace has issued a media access and publication ban.

Following the explosion, police forces took increased security around the area.

The main Ataturk Boulevard was closed to traffic due to the explosion close to one of the gates of the Grand National Assembly.

Special operations police also were dispatched to the scene. The fire brigade and medical teams are also on the scene.

The Grand National Assembly will open in the afternoon after a 3-month break.