Church shooting: Central Asians sentenced in Turkey

On February 6 this year, an Istanbul high criminal court sentenced two Tajik nationals and one Russian national to two life sentences each plus an additional 143 years in prison for a terrorist attack on the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district, according to T24.

The attack on the Catholic church took place on January 28, 2024. Two masked gunmen stormed the place of worship, opened fire on people, and fled the scene. As a result, 52-year-old Turkish citizen Tuncer Cihan was killed.

“If one of the attackers’ weapons had not malfunctioned, the number of victims could have been much higher,” the church priest said.

According to the investigation, the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack. During the investigation, law enforcement authorities detained more than 60 people. The attackers were identified as Tajik national Amirjon Holikov and Russian national David Tanduyev. They carried out the attack on the instructions of Tajik national Adam Hamirzayev, also known as “Adam Abu-Darrar al-Shishani.”

All three were found guilty under articles of the Turkish Criminal Code related to attempting to overthrow the constitutional order by force and aggravated murder. They were sentenced to life imprisonment under each article. In addition, the court handed them 143 years in prison for attempted aggravated murder.

Five more Tajik nationals were also convicted.

Tajik citizens Shamshullo Rajabov, Alisher Rahimov, Farrukh Soliyev, Abdulaziz Abdullayev, and Rasul Ahmadjanov were found guilty in the same case. Each received the following sentences:

• 15 years for attempting to overthrow the constitutional order by force;
• 15 years for aiding and abetting aggravated murder;
• 71 years and 6 months for aiding and abetting attempted murder.

In total, each was sentenced to 101 years and 6 months in prison.

Two more individuals were sentenced to 6 years and 3 months.

Two other defendants, Isminali Mirzohonov and Edelxan Inajayev, were each sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for membership in an armed terrorist organization.

All convicted individuals were confirmed to be members of ISIS, while the court acquitted 31 defendants.

Earlier, 26 people suspected of links to ISIS were detained in Turkey’s Yalova province.

E’zoza Olimova