Three suspects arrested after shooting at Istanbul church association
Three suspects have been arrested following a shooting at the Association of Salvation Churches in Istanbul. On 30 December, three gunmen arriving in a commercial vehicle opened fire at the association's building in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
The bullets pierced the metal shutters and glass and hit the wall of the association building. No casualties or injuries were reported in the attack. The suspects, who had previous convictions for fraud and causing grievous bodily harm, were sent to court after being processed at the police station, without revealing the motive for the attack.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect shouted, "We will not allow you to brainwash our Muslim youth! You infidels will be defeated and sent to hell!"
Last year, a New Year's celebration in an Istanbul church became the target of Muslim extremists: The Islamic State of Syria and the Levant claimed responsibility for an attack on the Church of Santa Maria, a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, in January 2024 (OIDAC reported), which resulted in one death.
Christian communities, which make up a small proportion of Turkey's predominantly Muslim population, have repeatedly faced acts of vandalism, harassment and violence. While attacks on churches and religious communities are relatively rare, they have raised concerns among rights groups about growing intolerance and threats to religious freedom.
Source: english.news.cn, Stockholm centre for freedom
Picture: kanal3.com.tr