A Turkish court on Friday released 16 of 32 defendants held in pretrial detention over a deadly attack on the Santa Maria Catholic church in İstanbul perpetrated by the Islamic State — Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), citing the length of their detention and the available evidence.
The attack, carried out on January 28, 2024 during a Sunday service, resulted in the death of Turkish citizen Tuncer Cihan and injured several others.
The İstanbul 26th High Criminal Court, holding the trial at a facility near İstanbul’s Marmara Prison, ruled to continue the detention of 16 other suspects, including alleged perpetrators David Tanduev, a Russian citizen, and Tajik national Amirjon Kholiqov. Both are accused of planning and carrying out the assault on behalf of ISIS-K.
The court also ordered the collection of additional evidence, including forensic analysis of surveillance footage and the photographing of suspects for victim identification. The next hearing is scheduled for March 24.
The indictment, drafted by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, accuses 43 individuals of crimes including “premeditated murder,” “attempted murder,” “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and “unlawful possession of weapons.” Prosecutors are seeking aggravated life sentences for 25 suspects, along with hundreds of years in prison for several others.
The attack marked a sharp escalation in ISIS-K activities in Turkey, prompting a nationwide crackdown. Turkish authorities detained 48 people in connection with the assault in the months following the attack.
Suspects Tanduev and Kholiqov are accused of opening fire during a Sunday service at the church, targeting worshippers and clergy, including Father Anton Bulai, who survived the attack. Prosecutors allege the pair acted under orders from ISIS-K operative Viskhan Soltamatov, who was detained in November 2024. Soltamatov is believed to have supplied the weapons and coordinated the plot.
The defendants denied the charges during Friday’s proceedings, with several claiming ignorance of ISIS-K activities and asserting that their interactions with co-defendants were unrelated to terrorism. Uzbek national Hazratumar Mahamatsoliev denied involvement, saying he was asleep at home during the attack, while Russian suspect Movlat Tsuroev alleged evidence found on his phone had been planted.