The Ministry of Internal Affairs suspected citizens of Russia and Tajikistan of attacking a church in Istanbul
On Sunday, January 28, unknown assailants opened fire at a Catholic church in Istanbul. Local police suspected two foreigners – citizens of Russia and Tajikistan – of the armed attack on the temple. In total, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikay, 47 people were detained at 30 addresses as part of the investigation.
He clarified that the Russian and Tajik citizen were detained at about 22:00 local time. According to preliminary information, they are members of the Islamic State (IS, a terrorist organization banned in Russia), which took accept responsibility for this crime. All detainees will be interrogated.
The attack on the church occurred during Sunday mass
On the afternoon of January 28, two masked men attacked St. Mary's Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sarıyer district. During Sunday mass, they opened fire and then fled the scene.
As a result, several people were injured; one parishioner, Tursen Jihan, could not be saved. In total, there were about 50 people in the church during the service.
The world called the attack a vile act and expressed sympathy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences in connection with the incident and spoke about taking measures to quickly capture the criminals.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the country's Foreign Ministry was monitoring the investigation into the “dastardly act” and condemned it.
Pope Francis expressed support and sympathy for the parishioners of the church in Istanbul.
The bishop of Istanbul's Latin Catholic community, Massimiliano Palinuro, in turn called on the city authorities to “restore justice, investigate and reveal the truth about the incident so that the evil caused can be eradicated.” According to him, the motive for the attack was religious intolerance.
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