Prosecutor in case into killing of Gezi's youngest victim taken hostage in Istanbul courthouse

Suspected members of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) have taken prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz hostage at Istanbul courthouse in connection to the case into the killing of Gezi victim Berkin Elvan.

Gunshots have been heard at the building.

A photo has been released on social media showing someone pointing a gun at the head of Kiraz against the backdrop of a flag of the organization.

According to a statement carried on halkinsesi.tv, a site that is close to the DHKP-C, the perpetrators have given authorities until 3:36 p.m. to meet the demands of the group. Meanwhile, the first account that shared the photo, @aysekosan123, was hacked soon afterward. "This account has been seized. Everything is for the TURKISH people," the hackers wrote in a tweet.

The perpetrators' demands include a live confession by the police officers suspected of killing Elvan, the prosecution of the officers responsible in a "people's court," the acquittal of all people being tried for participation in solidarity rallies for Elvan, as well as other requests.

Speaking to Hürriyet, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Vedat Yi?it said negotiations between the group and the police "continue via a mediator that they picked."

"There is no problem. Negotiators are talking to the perpetrators," Istanbul police chief Selami Alt?nok said. He did not reveal the identities of the perpetrators, but noted that two people took the prosecutor hostage.

Police have cordoned off the sixth floor of the courthouse where Kiraz's room is located.

Special teams have been dispatched to the scene, while it remains unknown how the assailants entered the building with a gun.

Elvan died on March 11, 2014, 269 days...