In the aftermath of the attack on the Catholic Church in Constantinople, authorities have arrested two suspects believed to be affiliated with the “Islamic State” (IS). The Turkish police’s counter-terrorism service had initially detained one individual, with a second suspect arrested subsequently.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that both detainees are foreign nationals—one from Tajikistan and the other from Russia. Minister Yerlikaya emphasized their suspected ties to the extremist group IS.
Following the church assault, Turkish law enforcement conducted 30 house raids, resulting in 47 additional arrests. The attack, perpetrated by two armed men with faces concealed by masks, occurred during Sunday mass at the Catholic Church of Santa Maria in Vathyryaka (Buyukdere) on the European side of the Bosphorus.
It is noteworthy that Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his children were present in the church during the attack.
Source: ANA-MPA/ Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
