Total 44 arrested in Bursaspor match probe

14 more suspects were arrested late on Wednesday, accused of orchestrating incidents before a league game between Beşiktaş and Bursaspor on earlier last month.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) canceled the game and declared Beşiktaş the winner after pre-match violence broke out between supporters of the two teams, leaving 34 people injured.

Anatolia news agency reported on Wednesday that Bursa police had detained 27 suspects believed to be part of the incidents and released six suspects because they were minors. 16 suspects were then referred to a court, which arrested 14 of them.

Officials at the police department said interrogation of five suspects continue so that the number of arrests might increase.

30 people were arrested as part of the investigation earlier and by Wednesday’s arrests, total 44 suspects have been jailed so far.

The clashes erupted when police prevented Bursaspor fans from assaulting Beşiktaş supporters in an apparent revenge attack following last year's street fights in İstanbul.

Hundreds of Bursaspor supporters, wanting to prevent opposition fans from entering the venue, began to fight with police, pelting them with stones.

2011-06-02

Muhabir: todayszaman.com