The attack on the church occurred on January 28, 2024, when two masked men entered and opened fire on the parishioners. As a result of the attack, a 52-year-old Turkish citizen, Tuncer Cihan, was killed. The priest of the church noted that the number of victims could have been significantly higher if one of the terrorists had not encountered problems with the weapon.
The terrorist group "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for this tragedy. More than 60 people were arrested during the investigation.
The investigation established that the attack was carried out by Tajik Amirjon Kholikov and Russian David Tanduyev, acting on the orders of Adam Khamirzaev, who is also a citizen of Tajikistan and uses the alias "Adam Abu-Darar Al-Shishani".
All three were sentenced to life imprisonment under two articles of the Turkish Penal Code: "Attempt to violently overthrow the constitutional order" and "Intentional murder with aggravating circumstances." Additionally, they received 143 years for "attempted intentional murder with aggravating circumstances."
Furthermore, five other Tajiks who were also involved in this case received life sentences. Shamsullo Rajabov, Alisher Rahimov, Farrukh Soliev, Abdulaziz Abdullaev, and Rasul Akhmadjanov were sentenced to:
▪️ 15 years for "attempt to violently overthrow the constitutional order,"
▪️ 15 years for "aiding and abetting murder with aggravating circumstances,"
▪️ 71 years and 6 months for "aiding and abetting attempted murder with aggravating circumstances."
Each of them ultimately received 101 years and 6 months in prison.
Two other defendants, Isminali Mirzojonov and Edelkhan Inazhaev, were sentenced to 6 years and 3 months for "membership in an armed terrorist organization." All convicted individuals are linked to ISIS.
The court acquitted 31 defendants.
