The attack on the church occurred on January 28, 2024, when two masked assailants entered the building and opened fire on the parishioners. As a result of this attack, 52-year-old Tuncher Jihan, a Turkish citizen, was killed. A priest who was present at the scene noted that if one of the terrorists' guns had not jammed, there could have been many more victims.
The terrorist organization "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the attack. During the investigation, more than 60 suspects were detained.
The investigation established that the attack was organized by Amirjon Kholikov, a citizen of Tajikistan, and Russian David Tanduev at the direction of Adam Khamirzaev, also a Tajik, known by the alias "Adam Abu-Darrar Al-Shishani".
The court found all three guilty on two counts of the Turkish Penal Code — "Attempted violent overthrow of the constitutional order" and "Intentional murder under aggravating circumstances," for which they received life sentences. Additionally, they were sentenced to 143 years for "attempted intentional murder under aggravating circumstances."
Furthermore, five Tajiks who were also involved in the case were sentenced to long terms. Shamsullo Rajabov, Alisher Rakhimov, Farrukh Soliev, Abdulaziz Abdullaev, and Rasul Akhmadjanov received:
▪️ 15 years for "attempted violent overthrow of the constitutional order,"
▪️ 15 years for "aiding and abetting and incitement to murder under aggravating circumstances,"
▪️ 71 years and 6 months for "aiding and abetting and incitement to attempted murder under aggravating circumstances."
Each of them was ultimately sentenced to 101 years and 6 months.
Two other defendants, Isminali Mirzojonov and Edelkhan Inazhaev, received 6 years and 3 months for "membership in an armed terrorist organization." All convicted individuals are members of ISIS.
Among the 31 defendants present at the trial, all 31 were acquitted.
