ISTANBUL, Feb 2 : Turkish authorities have arrested 25 individuals in relation to the recent church attack in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Friday.
The arrested suspects face charges of “membership in an organization” and “intentional homicide,” Tunc said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tunc further disclosed that among those detained are the two assailants, believed to be associated with the Islamic State, which is responsible for fatally shooting a Turkish citizen during a service at the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district of the city on Sunday.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had previously stated that the attackers came from Tajikistan and Russia.
Highlighting the ongoing comprehensive judicial investigation, Tunc mentioned that nine of the suspects have been released under judicial control conditions.
Turkish security forces had detained 51 suspects in connection with the attack, the Demiroren News Agency reported on Monday. (UNI)
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