Tuncer Murat Cihan, who lost his life in the church attack, laid to rest from Kağıthane Cemevi

Tuncer Murat Cihan (52), who was attending mass, was shot in the head and lost his life in an armed attack yesterday at the Santa Maria Catholic Church located in Sarıyer's Büyükdere neighborhood. In connection with the incident, where the perpetrators were captured by police officers from the Istanbul Police Department within 12 hours, 51 suspects were also taken into custody.

CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ISTANBUL ALSO ATTENDED THE FUNERAL

A funeral ceremony was held at the Kağıthane Nurtepe Cemevi for Tuncer Murat Cihan, who lost his life in the attack. The funeral was attended by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Sarıyer Mayor Şükrü Genç, Kağıthane District Governor Niyazi Erten, the Catholic Church's Bishop of Istanbul Massimiliano Palinura, Tuncer Cihan's mother Huriye Cihan, his brother Engin Cihan, his sister Özlem Cihan, his cousin Murat Cihan, as well as relatives and loved ones. During the tearful funeral ceremony, İmamoğlu offered his condolences to the family.

HIS MOTHER CLUNG TO THE COFFIN AND WEPT

During the funeral ceremony, Cihan's mother was seated on a chair as she had difficulty standing. After the funeral prayer was led by the Cemevi leader, blessings were requested and prayers were recited. Tuncer Murat Cihan's body was then carried on shoulders and laid to rest at the Eyüpsultan Hasdal Cemetery.

"HE WAS LIKE AN ANGEL"

Speaking about the incident, Cihan's cousin Murat Cihan said, "Most of what is being said is not true. There are many contradictory reports. He was my uncle's son. He was a person who would not harm anyone. He had gone to the church on Sunday for a visit. He already had an 80 percent disability report. He went there to spend time and look around. At that moment, these wretched people arrived. They found our poor relative, and this is what happened to us. I wonder what those who did this gained; what did they gain by brutally killing a person who wouldn't even hurt an ant? I wonder, are they happy now? Is their conscience clear? He was someone who had no interest in debts, credits, or money in this world. He was like an angel."

"WE MUST STRIVE HARDER BECAUSE EVIL HAS ENTERED THE CHURCH"

Bishop of Istanbul Massimiliano Palinura also stated, "We must strive harder because evil has entered the church. We must pray more. Please forgive me, I am very emotional. Our late brother tried to save our congregation like a pure angel. He lost his life for this. This brother of ours stood up against those doing evil and tried to stop them. That is why he was the first to be killed. We came here to show our gratitude to his family. May the merciful God provide consolation to this grieving family."