Armenian Church Attacked in İstanbul

Photo: Agos

Click to read the article in Turkish

Dznunt Surp Asdvadzadzni Church in Bakırköy, İstanbul, was attacked yesterday (May 8) as one perpetrator reportedly attempted to set the church's gate on fire.

The Armenian Patriarchate of İstanbul stated that it notified the police of the attack. While the suspect ran away, no casualties or material damage was caused by the attack, it added, as reported by Agos, a weekly newspaper in Turkish and Armenian.

"İstanbul Deputy Security Director contacted our Patriarchate and expressed his sadness and stated that the perpetrator would be caught as soon as possible," the statement said.

İstanbul Governor's Office later announced that a suspect named M.K. was detained by the police and an investigation about the incident was going on.

Minorities in Turkey, such as Armenians, Rums and Syriacs, as well as their places of worship, are occasionally targeted in hate attacks.

The church in Cevizlik Neighborhood in İstanbul's European district of Bakırköy was built in 1844. (RT/VK)