Hostage-taker neutralized with anesthetic juice after 28 hour standoff in Turkey's Şanlıurfa

A man who took his four children and his girlfriend hostage in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa was neutralized with anesthetic juice after a 28-hour hostage situation on Feb. 12, Doğan News agency has reported.

The suspect, Osman B., who was on temporary leave from a jail where he is serving time for murder, took his girlfriend and four children hostage with a gun, bundling them into a taxi whose driver he had also taken hostage on the evening of Feb. 11.

Police on patrol attempted to stop the man after he had fired randomly into the air, launching a chase as police teams blocked roads in an effort to box in the suspect.

The taxi's driver managed to escape during the commotion after police had stopped the vehicle.

Osman G. threatened to kill his children and his girlfriend as police attempted to negotiate with him.

At the same time, a number of ambulances and police teams were dispatched to the area. 

The suspect was persuaded to leave two of his children after four hours of negotiation.

The suspect released the other two children at 4 p.m. on Feb. 12, while demanding a vehicle.

Police were finally able to move and detain the man after he was anesthetized by juice that had been provided by officers.

Police detained him after he was taken to hospital for medical examinations. Officials also stated that he had been a fugitive for six months.