Istanbul police confirm kidnapped businessman dead

Turkish police have confirmed that a businessman kidnapped late last month has been found dead in Istanbul.

At least 17 people have been detained in connection with the death of 65-year-old Mehmet Turgut.

The dead man's personal driver and another chauffeur had been detained earlier by police.

An international copper trader, Turgut was reportedly kidnapped on June 26. According to local media, suspects phoned Turgut's family and demanded a ?5 million ($5.5 million) ransom.

The businessman's body was found buried in Istanbul's Asian district of Pendik.

He had been tortured and shot, according to police sources speaking to Anadolu Agency late on Wednesday. They added that Turgut was killed during ransom negotiations two days after he was kidnapped.