The Istanbul High Criminal Court has delivered its verdict in the case concerning the terrorist attack at the Italian Catholic Church of Santa Maria in the Sariyer district of Türkiye. Two citizens of Tajikistan and one citizen of Russia were each sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment and an additional 143 years in prison, Ramirinside reports.

The attack occurred on 28 January 2024. Two armed men wearing masks opened fire on worshippers inside the church and then fled the scene. A 52 year old Turkish citizen, Tuncer Cihan, was killed. According to the priest, the number of victims could have been higher, but one of the attackers experienced a weapon malfunction.

The investigation established that the perpetrators of the attack were Tajik citizen Amirjon Kholikov and Russian citizen David Tanduev. They acted on the instructions of Tajik citizen Adam Khamirzaev, known as Adam Abu Darrar al Shishani. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the terrorist group Islamic State.

All three were found guilty of attempting to violently overthrow the constitutional order of Türkiye and of aggravated intentional homicide. They were also given lengthy sentences for attempted murder.

Seven other individuals were also convicted in the case. Five Tajik citizens received sentences of 101 years and six months in prison for aiding and abetting and incitement to terrorist crimes. Two other defendants were sentenced to six years and three months in prison for membership in a terrorist organisation. At the same time, 31 defendants were acquitted.