Turkey says it has identified Istanbul attacker in deadly nightclub rampage
Turkish authorities said Wednesday they had identified the gunman who went on a deadly rampage at an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day, but they did not release his name to the public.
“The identity of the person responsible for the Istanbul attack has been established,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told state-run news agency Anadolu.
Turkish police had detained 20 people, including 11 women, in connection with the assault, Anadolu reported. The operation was launched in the Aegean port city of Izmir.
The chief suspect, who killed 39 people during New Year’s celebrations, is still at large.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which also wounded nearly 70 people. Anadolu said the number of arrests was expected to rise as the manhunt goes on.
At least 14 people were previously detained in connection with the attack, including two foreigners stopped Tuesday at the international terminal of Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport after police checked their cellphones and luggage, according to Anadolu.
The private Dogan news agency said the main suspect arrived in Turkey from Syria with his wife and two children. The gunman is believed to be about 25 years old and from a Central Asian nation such as Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. Selfie video footage of him in central Istanbul emerged Tuesday.
Turkey has extended for another three months a state of emergency that was implemented after a failed coup in July.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an address Wednesday that "in Turkey, no one’s way of life is under any threat. Those who claim this have to prove it. It is my duty to protect everyone’s rights." Erdogan was responding to accusations that his government has not done enough to counter terrorism threats.