Armed Attack On Italian Church In Istanbul Leaves 1 Dead

On Sunday, Turkey’s interior minister stated that two men opened fire on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony, killing one.

Ali Yerlikaya noted that the attack took place at the Santa Maria church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district at about 11:40 (0840 GMT) and was carried out by two masked men.

Yerlikaya went on to say that an investigation had begun.

Television footage showed police and an ambulance outside the stately church.

“An individual identified only as CT, who attended Sunday’s service, died as a result of the armed attack”, Yerlikaya continued.

“We strongly condemn this vile attack”, the minister remarked.

The motive behind the attack was not immediately obvious.

In December, Turkish security forces seized 32 people suspected of having links with Islamic State jihadists preparing attacks on churches and synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy.

IS jihadists have carried out a succession of attacks on Turkish soil, notably against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017, which killed 39 people.

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