A judge serving on Turkey’s top administrative court has been found with a gunshot wound to the head in his hotel room in southeastern Mardin province, the private DHA news agency reported on Tuesday.
The judge, identified only by the initials A.H., was discovered by hotel staff Monday evening after they heard gunshots from his room. The 42-year-old judge, who serves at the Council of State, Turkey’s highest administrative court, was visiting the city for the Eid holiday break.
Emergency medical teams transported the judge to a private hospital, where he remains in critical condition in intensive care, DHA said, adding that the police have launched an investigation into the incident.
The Justice Ministry later issued a statement responding to reports suggesting an attack, saying such characterizations of the incident were inaccurate and that the judge had attempted suicide with his licensed weapon.
“Council of State Review Judge A.H. attempted suicide with his licensed weapon in his hotel room in Mardin. His condition remains critical,” the ministry said.