The person who carried out the attack was detained but released on condition of judicial control. After the arrest warrant was issued, the suspect was arrested yesterday evening.
The person who removed the cross of the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Kuzguncuk and threw it on the ground was detained on May 28 but was released on the condition of judicial control.
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, who conducted the investigation, objected to the court’s decision. Judging the decision of the prosecutor’s office at an upper court today, Istanbul Anatolian 8th Magistrate Court issued an arrest warrant for M.S.
M.S., who was detained again upon the decision of the court, was sent to the courthouse after the police procedures. Defending that he has respect for all places of worship and that the incident developed instantly, M.S. in his interrogation in the Sentry Magistrates’ Court, requested judicial control and said: “I know that what I did does not benefit anyone. I wish I had never done it. I am remorseful because of this incident. It was something I did without thinking and that had happened when I was just passing by. I am ready to cover the financial damage of the church.” The judge decided to arrest the suspect because of the strong criminal suspicion that he had committed the crime.
