Turkish authorities arrested 25 suspects in connection with the fatal gunshot wound of a man during a service at a Catholic church in Istanbul last weekend, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tundes said today.

Among the 25 who were taken into custody are two suspected perpetrators, who are believed to be linked to the Islamic States, Tounds wrote on social media X.

The two main suspects are foreign nationals— one from Tajikistan and the other Russian — according to Interior Minister Ali Gerlikaya.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Telegram, saying it was responding to a call by the group’s leaders to target Jews and Christians.

Tundes said the 25 suspects were charged with involvement in an illegal organization and murder, adding that nine other suspects had been released pending trial.

The attack took place on Sunday morning at the Italian Catholic Church of Santa Maria in the Sariger district. A Turkish citizen, who was targeted by the attackers, fell dead while watching the service.

The victim had gone to church after his walk and had no political or religious connections, his cousin said. Authorities have said the number of casualties could have been higher if a gun hadn’t been involved.

Footage from a security camera inside the church, authenticated by Reuters, shows the masked gunmen entering the building and shooting the man who was walking in front of them.

Islamic State has carried out numerous attacks across Turkey, including an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on January 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed.

Turkish authorities have made 2,086 arrests for suspected ties to the Islamic State since June 2023, according to Gerlikaya.