14 suspects arrested in bootleg alcohol case


Turkish court arrested on Saturday 14 of the 21 suspects who were detained earlier this week for manufacturing and selling bootleg alcohol after 18 people died from alcohol poisoning in Istanbul.Since Oct. 18, more than 80 people have been reported to hospitals for suspected alcohol poisoning, 18 of whom died, while 15 others are undergoing treatment in intensive care units and 11 others receiving treatment in emergency rooms.A large cache of bootleg drinks was confiscated in by police during raids carried out since the tragedy.Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu had warned the public earlier to act cautiously when purchasing alcoholic drinks. "They should avoid suspicious products without proper tax labels and sold for unusually cheap prices. Consumers should alert police when they suspect a shop is selling bootleg alcohol," he said.