Attack on church in Istanbul leaves one dead. Suspects are on the run

Dand according to a statement published on the social network The attack left one dead.

The official did not specify what type of weapons were used or whether there were other injuries.

Yerlikaya condemned the attack and said that authorities are working to capture those responsible for the attack, and an investigation has been opened.

Today around 11.40
During the service at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer Büyükdere District,
CT among those attending the ritual
He was attacked with a gun by 2 masked people
and unfortunately he lost his life.

Large-scale investigation and…

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) January 28, 2024

Yerlikaya condemned the attack and said that authorities are working to capture those responsible for the attack, and an investigation has been opened.

Speaking to journalists, the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, expressed his condolences and support for the city’s religious minorities, which, like the rest of Turkey, is predominantly Muslim.

“There are no minorities in this city or in this country. We are all true citizens,” he said, quoted by AP.

The nephew of the fatal victim, in statements to the agency, identified him as Tuncer Cihan, saying that the target was the church and not his uncle.

“He was an individual with a mental disability who had no connection to politics or organizations [criminosas]. He went there by invitation and was a victim of fate”, said Cagin Cihan.

The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered his condolences today, assuring that all “necessary measures” were taken to find those responsible.

Erdogan, who spoke by telephone with the church priest and local authorities, assured that everything was being done to find the attackers “as quickly as possible”, according to the presidency, cited by the AFP agency.

[Notícia atualizada às 13h37]

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