Somali President's first statement: 'There was no arrest warrant...'

The son of Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud spoke for the first time about causing the death of motor courier Yunus Emre Göçer in Istanbul.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the President insisted that his son did not flee from Turkey, saying "There was no arrest warrant."

The President said that his 40-year-old son did not leave the accident scene and stayed in Istanbul for a few more days, advising him "to surrender to the court."

Regarding the death of motor courier Göçer, the President commented, "It was an accident," and about his son, "He didn't flee and indeed hired a lawyer for this purpose. He had work and therefore left the country."

The President added, “He still has ties to the country," and said, “I am telling him to return and surrender to justice. But ultimately he is an adult and this is his decision. I am advising him to return.”

Expressing condolences to Göçer's family, the Somali President said, “I don't know how to reach them. Through your means, I convey my condolences. We share the pain of their loss. We are sorry for their loss.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 40-year-old son of the Somali President, Muhammed Hasan Sheikh Mahmud, while driving towards the Aksaray direction in Istanbul on November 30th, hit motor courier Yunus Emre Göçer, causing severe injuries. The son was taken into custody by the police and then released in the evening.

Mahmud left Turkey by air on December 2nd, while the 38-year-old Göçer passed away in the hospital on December 6th. The charge against the suspect shifted from "reckless injury" to "causing death by negligence," and an arrest warrant was issued on December 8th.