Turkish intel captures accused planner, weapon supplier of attack on Istanbul's Santa Maria Church

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - One of the accused planners behind an attack this January on Istanbul’s Santa Maria Italian Church that left one person dead has been captured, Turkish security sources said on Saturday.

The sources confirmed that Viskhan Soltamatiov, who also reportedly supplied weapons used in the attack, was apprehended through an operation in Istanbul by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

The Jan. 28 armed assault on the church in Istanbul's Sariyer district was claimed by the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS. The attack resulted in the loss of Tuncer Cihan, age 52.