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Gun attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul/ 1 person is killed

2024-01-28 18:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Gun attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul/ 1 person is killed

Turkish authorities announced that two masked and armed men attacked a Catholic church in Istanbul during Sunday service, killing one person.

According to a statement posted on the X social network by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the attack took place in the morning at the Santa Maria church located in the Sariyer neighborhood. He did not give details on the weapons that were used or if there were any injuries.

Mr. Yerlikaya condemned the incident and said that efforts are being made to catch the suspected perpetrators. The authorities announced that the incident is being investigated.

Speaking to reporters, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu offered condolences to the victim's family and offered his support to the city's religious minorities.

In remarks to the public in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis said he stands by the church community of Istanbul.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the victim's nephew identified the person who lost his life as Tuncer Cihan. He pointed out that the target was the church and not his uncle.

" He was a mentally disabled person who had nothing to do with politics or (criminal) organizations ," he said.

The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars. Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, said his ministry was monitoring the situation together with the Italian embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul.

" I express my condolences and strongly condemn the serious attack on the Santa Maria church ", Mr. Tajani wrote on the X social network.

He added that he was sure that the Turkish authorities would arrest those responsible./ VOA





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