Arrest relief for toddler's family

Alistair was the couple's only son

The family of shot toddler Alistair Grimason have expressed relief after a man suspected of the toddler's killing was arrested in Turkey.

Two-year-old Alistair, from East Kilbride, in Scotland, died after a gunfight broke out at a cafe in the Turkish resort of Foca on 7 July.

Police in the city of Izmir confirmed that they arrested "prime suspect" Daimi Akyuz on Monday night.

The 32-year-old car dealer is reported to have confessed to camera, saying he regrets the death of Alistair and will mourn for him all of his life.

Alistair's father, David Grimason, 31, said he was pleased Mr Akyuz had been arrested but added that nothing would ease the pain of losing his only child.

Mr Grimason said international coverage of a petition he started to campaign for the tightening of Turkish gun laws had helped put pressure on the authorities to find Mr Akyuz.

'More people on the case'

He added that despite the arrest, the family's campaign to alter Turkish law would continue.

He said: "After the petition started the police went on television in Turkey and said they would put more people on the case.

"Just over a week ago they said they would catch him within a week and now they've caught him so it looks as if the petition may have helped.

"We are relieved that a man has been arrested, but we will continue with our campaign to try and change the law over there."

Daimi Akyuz is in police custody

Mr Grimason also said he would like to travel to Turkey to witness the legal proceedings once Mr Akyuz has been charged in connection with Alistair's death.

He had already planned to travel to Turkey at the end of this month to hand over the petition which now has nearly 30,000 signatures.

Another man, Ali Bektas, was also killed in the shoot-out which led to Alistair's death while two other men were injured.

Mr Akyuz will also face charges in relation to these three men, according to the Turkish Embassy spokesman.

Suspect due in court

Mr Grimason said news of Mr Akyuz's arrest had left him rather shaken adding that all he and his wife could think about was their son.

"It's always on your mind every minute of the day, you think about the things he's missing out on.

"He made us proud and kept us going and we don't have that any more."

On Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the Turkish Embassy in London said: "The prime suspect Daimi Akyuz has been arrested and he will be charged with murder.

"He will be taken to court and the prosecutor will investigate the incident."

Alistair had been with his Turkish-born mother Ozlem and his grandmother as they enjoyed a meal during a family holiday.

The toddler was asleep in his pram when a stray bullet pierced his heart, killing him instantly.