The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting in Istanbul

The terrorist group “Islamic State” claimed responsibility for the attack on the parishioners of the Catholic church in Istanbul on Sunday. This was reported by the Associated Press, referring to a statement published by the Aamaq agency associated with the group.

The IG statement says that its fighters “attacked a gathering of Christian infidels during their polytheistic ceremony.” The statement is accompanied by photographs of two men with weapons, whose faces are hidden by masks. They were identified as the shooters in the Istanbul church.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkey, Ali Erlikaya, said that the two attackers, arrested after the attack, were recognized as members of the IG. He clarified that after the attack on the temple, the police searched more than 30 places in Istanbul, where IS supporters could be, and detained 47 people on suspicion of having connections with terrorists.

The attack on the parishioners of the Istanbul Catholic Church of Santa Maria took place on Sunday, January 28, during the service. Two armed men entered the temple and opened fire with firearms. As a result, one of the parishioners died. The attackers were detained. One of them is a citizen of Tajikistan, the second is a citizen of Russia.

• Last December, more than 30 IS supporters were detained in Turkey on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks in Christian churches and synagogues.