Striking detail in church attack: Assigned police officer suspended

It has been learned that an investigation has been launched into one police officer regarding the attack that took place during Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Italian Church in Sarıyer, Istanbul, and that the officer has been suspended.

Müslim Sarıyar

Müslim SARIYAR/12punto.com.tr EXCLUSIVE

Masked attackers who arrived at the Santa Maria Italian Church in Sarıyer yesterday morning opened fire during mass, and Tuncer Cihan, who was visiting the church, lost his life.

It is alleged that the attackers fled the scene after their weapons jammed.

ISTANBUL POLICE DETAINED 51 PEOPLE

Following the attack, teams from the Istanbul Police Department Counter-Terrorism Branch detained two ISIS members, one a Tajik national and the other a Russian national, 10 hours after the attack.

It was learned that the number of detainees rose to 51 during operations conducted throughout the night.

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO 1 POLICE OFFICER

On the other hand, it was learned that an investigation has been launched into a police officer who was assigned to duty at the church for the mass.

It was learned that the police officer has been suspended until the investigation is completed. It was claimed that the police officer was not at the church despite being assigned to duty during the attack.