Man who shot pope may face desertion charges

[emad]

Agca must report to Turkish police; authorities mull military service

•ISTANBUL, Turkey - Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, must report to police to avoid desertion charges while authorities determine whether he is eligible for military service, Istanbul’s top official was reported as saying.

Agca, 48, has not been seen since he was released from an Istanbul jail Thursday after serving more than a quarter of a century behind bars.

“If he doesn’t go to the police station (daily), his situation will be considered desertion and if he doesn’t go to Gata (hospital) Monday the Pendik military office will make a decision on bringing him in,” Istanbul’s governor, Muammer Guler, told NTV television late Friday.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10835515/

[emad]

1. Man Convicted of Pope Assassination Attempt Fails to Report to Police

ANKARA, Turkey — The man convicted of trying to assassinate Pope John Paul II and released from prison this week failed to report to police Saturday, Turkish media reported Saturday, but his lawyer insisted he was "a free person" who did not have to check in.

Mehmet Ali Agca has not been seen in public since his release Thursday, and failed to show up at a police station both Friday and Saturday despite a warning that a warrant could be issued for his arrest, Turkish television networks said.

Agca was released from an Istanbul prison after serving some 25 years in Italy and in Turkey for the assassination attempt on the pope and the killing of a prominent Turkish journalist.

Authorities said Agca, 48, was required to check in so officials could keep tabs on him until a military recruitment center decides whether he can be drafted. Agca was arrested on suspicion of dodging Turkey's draft but escaped a military prison in 1979.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181684,00.html

[TankLV]

2. Gee - who could've IMAGINED he'd do such a thing!

Killed a couple others as well I hear.

Damn, and to think they TRUSTED this poor guy! Nobody could have thought this would happen!

(sarcasm off)

[daleo]

3. 48 years old, and he has to report to the draft board?

This doesn't really add up.