Turkish authorities arrest 25 suspects in Istanbul church shooting

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced the arrest of 25 suspects linked to the shooting, which claimed the life of one person during Sunday mass.

The attackers, identified as nationals of Tajikistan and Russia, were among those apprehended and are believed to have ties to the Islamic State (ISIS), which claimed responsibility for the incident.

The suspects are now facing charges of aggravated intentional homicide and membership in an illegal organization, as confirmed by Tunc.

ISIS, known for previous attacks in Türkiye, particularly targeted a nightclub during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2017, resulting in 39 casualties.

Türkiye has intensified its efforts against the group, with over 2,000 individuals suspected of ISIS affiliations arrested since mid-2023, including a significant operation in December that led to the apprehension of 304 suspects.

The latest arrests underscore Türkiye's commitment to addressing security challenges posed by terrorist organizations. (ILKHA)