Erdogan orders separate probe into Ankara bombing

Turkey’s president on Tuesday announced a separate investigation into Saturday’s terror attack in Ankara.

In a joint news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the Turkish capital, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had ordered the State Supervisory Council (DDK) to conduct a probe.

“I ordered the State Supervisory Council to undertake a comprehensive examination and investigation to handle this issue from a different perspective,” he said.

The DDK is an inspection body under the control of the presidency. Its investigation will be conducted in parallel to police and judicial inquiries into the suicide blasts that killed at least 97 people and injured hundreds more in the deadliest attack in modern Turkish history.

Erdogan said the attack on a peace rally was an assault not just on those attending the demonstration but on “our country and the whole Turkish nation.” He also said those behind the blasts would soon be discovered.

Asked about flaws in security for the rally, he told reporters: “There was certainly a mistake, a failing, but the dimension of it will be unraveled by the investigations.”

Niinisto condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims’ families. “We are with Turkey and working against terror and extremism,” he said.

Separately, the Finnish president also praised Turkey’s role in caring for refugees and said his country supported Turkey’s bid for EU membership.