Turkish authorities have detained an alleged member of the “Islamic State”, who is suspected of participation in the planning of the attack on the Catholic Church “Santa Maria” in Istanbul on January 28, reported the Turkish intelligence service MIT, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The terrorist group “Islamic State” has claimed responsibility for the attack, carried out by two people with automatic weapons, in which a Turkish citizen died.
Today's MIT announcement said the suspect, identified as Viskhan Soltamatov, is believed to have been a key figure behind the attack. He was detained by MIT and the police in a joint operation in Istanbul.
According to MIT, Soltamatov supplied the weapons used in the attack.
The terrorist act in the church “Santa Maria“ was organized by the group “Islamic State – Khorasan“, a faction active in Afghanistan. In April, Turkish authorities charged 48 people believed to be connected to the attack.