In a diplomatic saga unfolding on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey is demanding answers from Somalia as the son of its president, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, embroils himself in a controversy following a tragic traffic accident.
Behind the wheel of a diplomatic car, Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud collided with a motorcycle courier in central Istanbul on Nov. 30, leaving the victim severely injured.
Turkish authorities, perplexed by the misuse of a vehicle adorned with diplomatic license plates by someone lacking diplomatic status, are pressing Somalia for an explanation. "Someone who does not have diplomatic status has no right to use these vehicles," emphasized an unnamed Turkish official, shedding light on the intricate web of international protocols.
Despite the veneer of diplomatic immunity, the Turkish official asserted that such status offers no shield when it comes to blatant breaches, ensuring that Turkey's justice ministry takes charge of the unfolding drama. Meanwhile, Somali officials remain tight-lipped amid mounting scrutiny.
The narrative takes a twist as the Somali president's son hastily departs Turkey on Dec. 2, following police interrogation. However, the aftermath reveals a tragic turn of events, with the 38-year-old motorcyclist, Yunus Emre Gocer, succumbing to his injuries on Dec. 6. In the wake of this unfortunate demise, an international arrest warrant is issued for the Somali president's son, escalating the diplomatic imbroglio on the global stage.