25 suspects arrested by court in church attack

The ISIS-linked Tajikistan national A.K. and Russian national D.T., who carried out the armed attack on Santa Maria Latin Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul, along with other suspects considered to be connected to them, were referred to the duty magistrate with a request for arrest.

25 SUSPECTS ARRESTED

Regarding the attack, 21 of the 34 suspects were referred to the duty magistrate with a request for arrest on charges of 'homicide and membership in a terrorist organization,' and 13 were referred on charges of 'membership in an organization.' 25 suspects, including the 2 attackers, were arrested by the duty court.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated in a post on his social media account: "Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the murder of our citizen named Tuncer Cihan at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul, during mass; an arrest decision was issued for 25 suspects, including the ISIS Armed Terrorist Organization suspect Amirjon Khliqov, who opened fire in the church and caused the death of our citizen, and David Tanduev, who was with him, on charges of 'membership in an organization and qualified intentional homicide,' while judicial control measures were issued for 9 suspects. The judicial investigation into the incident is continuing comprehensively."

Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the murder of our citizen named Tuncer Cihan at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul, during mass;

Including those who opened fire in the church and caused the death of our citizen…

— Yılmaz TUNÇ (@yilmaztunc) February 1, 2024

WHAT HAPPENED?

An armed attack was carried out on Santa Maria Church in Büyükdere, Sarıyer, Istanbul, on Sunday, January 28, during mass. A citizen named Tuncer Murat Cihan lost his life in the attack. 51 people were detained in operations conducted after the attack. 23 people were handed over to the removal center for deportation.

News Source: 12punto