Two perpetrators of fatal church attack in Istanbul apprehended: Interior Minister Yerlikaya

Two suspects apprehended following attack on the Santa Maria Church, while Daesh claims responsibility

Following the attack on the Santa Maria Church, two suspects were apprehended, and the responsibility for the attack was claimed by the terrorist organization Daesh on Sunday.

Immediately after the attack on the church, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya expressed determination to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators, ensuring they face justice. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan contacted Santa Maria Italian Church Pastor Anton Bulai and Consul Witold Lesniak of Poland in Istanbul, assuring them of the intensive efforts to capture the culprits.

Within 24 hours of the incident, the Counterterrorism Unit of the Istanbul Police Department detained one individual identified to be linked with the attack. Minister Yerlikaya confirmed the capture of both suspects involved in the killing of Tuncer Cihan.

Minister Yerlikaya stated, “This morning, the two assailants responsible for the death of our citizen Tuncer Cihan during the Sunday service at Sarıyer Santa Maria Church have been captured.”

The minister announced that in a series of raids conducted at 30 different locations, authorities have detained 47 individuals in connection with the incident. Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that the two assailants apprehended were of foreign nationality. He stated, “We evaluate that the attackers are affiliated with Daesh.”

Source: Newsroom