Turkish national arrested over alleged assassination attempt on Pope Francis

In Italy, a Turkish citizen has been detained as part of an investigation into a potential assassination attempt against the late Pope Francis.

According to information reported by DW Türkçe, citing the Corriere della Sera newspaper and based on an investigation by Il Piccolo, 46-year-old Hasan U. was extradited to Italy after being apprehended by Interpol in the Netherlands. The suspect was held in custody in Milan for several days before being arrested and transferred to a prison in Trieste. According to the newspaper, Hasan U. is being held in solitary confinement.

ALLEGED ISIS CONNECTION

In July 2024, prior to Pope Francis's visit to Trieste, a handgun and ammunition were discovered inside a suitcase. The suspect is alleged to be connected to this incident. According to reports in media outlets, it is claimed that the plot may have been prepared by an organization with ties to ISIS and based in Turkey.

Following the discovery of the suitcase, Italian security forces launched a large-scale investigation and had been working on the possibility of an assassination attempt for over a year.

The day after the incident, Pope Francis presided over an open-air mass in Trieste's main square and mingled with the public in an open electric vehicle throughout his visit.

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world, passed away in the Vatican on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following long-standing health issues.

News Source: 12punto