Attack On Church In Istanbul: 47 People Detained

• 29.01.2024, 12:09

Including one Russian.

Turkish authorities have detained 47 people on suspicion of attacking a church in Istanbul's Sariyer neighbourhood where one person died during a service on Sunday, Reuters reports.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said police raided more than 30 locations across Istanbul and detained 47 people, including two foreigners, a Russian national in particular.

"Both suspects are foreign nationals. One of them is from Tajikistan and the other is a Russian and we believe they have ties to Islamic State (terrorist group)," he said, adding that the suspects would be interrogated.

Islamic State (ISIS) earlier claimed responsibility for attacking the church in a statement on Telegram, saying it was in response to a call by the group's leaders to attack Jews and Christians.

Surveillance footage from inside the church showed masked gunmen entering the building and shooting a man who walked in front of them and then leaving.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the church's priest to express his condolences and support, his office reported, publishing the video of the conversation.