All Our Security Forces Are Mobilized at This Time, Says Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed condolences over the death of a citizen following an armed attack on an Italian Catholic church in Istanbul and stated that the suspects will be apprehended soon. This was reported by the Turkish presidential administration and conveyed by RIA Novosti.

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had earlier announced that one person was killed in the armed assault by two masked individuals on the Catholic church in Istanbul. Yerlikaya mentioned that a large-scale investigation into the attack is underway and a manhunt is being conducted for the assailants.

A video of Erdogan's phone conversation from the aircraft (the president was in Eskişehir for a campaign event) was shared on the X social media platform by Fahrettin Altun, the head of the presidential communications department. During the conversation, Erdogan extended condolences to the church's priest, Anton Bulay, the prefect of the Sarıyer district, Omer Kalayli, and the Consul General of Poland in Turkey, Witold Lesnyak, who were present.

“At this moment, all our security forces are mobilized and making every effort necessary. I believe the suspects will be caught in the near future,” Erdogan stated.