IMM President İmamoğlu and IYI Party's Kavuncu visit Santa Maria

Speaking to reporters after his inspection at the scene, İmamoğlu stated that Istanbul is an ancient city that has been home to various ethnic origins, and that every faith and person here is under protection.

Emphasizing that they condemn the attack, İmamoğlu said, "We are very saddened by the person who lost their life. During our visit, I visited the Reverend Father and conveyed my condolences to him. We also conveyed our condolences to the other citizens in the congregation. 

I expressed that this pain belongs to all of us. We are in a sensitive period both nationally and internationally. In this respect, we are following the process. Our security officials are on full alert, I can see that. It appears there were two attackers. 

It seems they entered masked, carried out the attack, and fled," he said.

Stating that he hopes the attackers will be arrested as soon as possible and the incident will be brought to light, İmamoğlu noted that Istanbul's unity, solidarity, brotherhood, and inclusive structure are very valuable to them.

"WE MUST PROTECT OUR UNITY AND SOLIDARITY"

IYI Party IMM mayoral candidate Kavuncu also said that they tried to obtain detailed information after receiving news of the attack.

Stating that security personnel are working on the case, Kavuncu said:

"We condemn this heinous attack. We denounce such attacks on peace and tranquility in our country. We desire for the criminals to be found as soon as possible and for the perpetrators to be identified so they do not remain in the shadows.

We will provide any support needed in this regard if there is anything that falls to us. The attack on the ceremony held by the Italian congregation to perform their worship is an act against the peace and tranquility of our country.

Especially when elections are approaching, such provocations and attacks during election times are dangerous, and we must condemn them as a nation, together, and protect our unity and solidarity."

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik stated that they visited the church's priest to express their sadness and convey their condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Çelik noted the following:

"The fact that this attack was carried out in a house of worship during prayer has deeply saddened us. We consider this an attack on the unity and solidarity of our Turkey.

We hope that such painful events will not happen again. Of course, the relevant ministries and police departments are following the process, and we will also be following it.

Once again, we convey our condolences to our country and all the people of Sarıyer, and our wishes for a speedy recovery. We express that we are following the process."

News Source: AA