Plot Forest fires in southern Turkey in the summer of 2021
On October 23, seven Russian tourists were detained in Turkey. They were arrested on suspicion of unintentional arson of the forest.The Russian Consulate General confirmed the fact of the detention.
What is known about the detention?
Law enforcement agencies of Turkey detained a group of Russian tourists who were hiking along the route of the Lycian Trail in the vicinity of Antalya. According to TASS, employees of the Russian diplomatic mission, according to information received from the local gendarmerie department, seven Russian citizens were detained on suspicion of arson of a forest in the area of Chaglardzha.
Fire in Antalya, Turkey
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View of the smoke from the fires from the city of Side © www.globallookpress.com
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View of the smoke from the fires from the city of Side © www.globallookpress.com
Fire in Antalya, Turkey
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View of the smoke from the fires from the city of Side © www.globallookpress.com
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View of the smoke from the fires from the city of Side © www.globallookpress.com
On October 24, a court session was held. The Russians were provided with state lawyers for free, and they were also provided with translation. According to the diplomats, despite the lawyers’ petition, the court decided to detain Russian tourists for the period of the pre-trial investigation of the circumstances of the incident.
What do the detainees claim?
The Russians have denied the charges against them.According to tourists, during the passage along the Lycian trail, they saw a fire. At first they tried to fight the fire on their own and call the emergency services. But on the road they were detained by local residents and gendarmes were called.
“As a result, after the trial, the court ordered an arrest and we were sent to prison,” one of the detainees, Dmitry Korshunov, wrote about this on his Instagram.
The Russians also stated that they were provided with a lawyer who does not speak English.
When will the next court hearing take place?
The date of the next court hearing has not yet been set, it will take place within a month, the Consulate General told RIA Novosti. According to the Telegram channel Baza, the charge against them is punishable by two to seven years in prison.