Suspect paid to start forest fires in Turkey, media reports

Smoke rises as fight against forest fires broke out in Marmaris district of Mugla continue with ground and aerial extinguishing operations on August 01, 2021 in Mugla, Turkey [Mahmut Serdar Alakuş/Anadolu Agency]

Turkish media says that a suspect, arrested for starting forest fires in the Akseki and Manavgat districts of the southern Turkish province of Antalya, was paid by unknown people to commit the arson.

According to reports, one eyewitness, a voice recording from the suspect’s girlfriend implicates him in the fires.

The eyewitness said in her testimony that she recorded her conversation with the suspect on her mobile phone and he told her that he started the fire after someone paid him $147, Daily Sabah reports.

The eyewitness account raised suspicions on claims that the forest fires in Turkey may be linked to terrorist groups.

The wildfires in Turkey started on 28 July, spreading to more than 187 locations in 21 provinces and districts across the country, 172 of which were brought under control.

They were recorded as the biggest forest fires in modern Turkish history.

READ: Turkey evacuates power station as wildfires rage on

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