Images and clothing of terrorists who attacked the church have been released

Müslim SARIYAR/12punto.com.tr

On January 28, 2 masked and armed attackers opened fire on worshippers during Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Italian Church in Istanbul's Sarıyer district. While there was great panic in the church during the service, 52-year-old Tuncer Cihan, who was targeted by the bullets, lost his life in the hospital where he was taken in critical condition.

Following the bloody attack, 51 suspects, including the 2 gunmen who carried out the armed action, identified as Tajikistan national A.K. and Russian national T.D., were arrested in operations conducted against the attackers by teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Intelligence Branch and Counter-Terrorism Branch.

While the interrogation of the cell members, who were caught in raids on more than 30 addresses in chain operations, continues at the police station, the police photos of the 2 suspects of Russian and Tajik origin, who are alleged to have acted as hitmen on behalf of DAESH, were shared. Within the scope of the ongoing investigation, it was announced that 51 suspects had been arrested, and 23 foreigners, all women and under the age of 18, who were found to have no connection to the attack, were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for deportation. In line with the investigation, the interrogation of 28 suspects, 3 of whom are Turkish, continues at the Counter-Terrorism Branch. After their interrogations are completed, the cell members will be sent to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan tomorrow to give statements to the prosecutor.

News Source: Müslim Sarıyar