Gendarmerie saves 10-year-old from kidnappers in Turkey's Aksaray

A 10-year-old child, who was kidnapped on Aug. 21 in the Central Anatolian province of Aksaray, was saved in a gendarmerie operation early on Aug. 23.

The kidnapping incident occurred late on Aug. 21 in Aksaray's Ortaköy district in a gas station. The two balaclava-clad assailants first fired at a gas pump attendant, injuring him. They then went into the grocery store of the gas station, where they kidnapped 10-year-old Egemen Same Dinç, the son of the gas station owner, Galip Dinç.

Following the incident, security forces launched an operation for Dinç to be found, identifying potential suspects and following them. On Aug. 23, towards morning, the gendarmerie forces found out that 21-year-old Ferhat K. and 18-year-old Berat Baruhan K. had been keeping Dinç in an abandoned house in Aksaray's Borucu village.

Following the operation that was then immediately launched by the gendarmerie, a clash took place with the suspect, which led to the injury of Ferhan K.'s leg. The gendarmerie saved Dinç from being held hostage in the house and detained Ferhan K. and Berat Batuhan K. and took them to the station for their testimonies. 

Egemen Dinç was then dispatched to Ortaköy State Hospital for a health checkup as he was held hostage for 36 hours.

Aksaray Governor Aykut Pekmez and Provincial Police Chief Ali Karabağ visited the 10-year-old at the hospital, and were informed of his health situation. The doctors said the child did not have serious health issues.