Turkey detains 3 Russians, dozens of suspected jihadists after bombing

ISTANBUL — Turkish authorities yesterday detained three Russian nationals with suspected links to Islamic State (IS), while a nationwide probe was launched into how a jihadist from Syria killed 10 tourists during an attack in the heart of Istanbul.
Turkey, which has been criticised for not doing enough to crack down on IS, has detained dozens of suspected jihadists across the country in the past two days, although it is not clear if the action had any link to the bombing.

Russia’s Consulate General in the Mediterranean city of Antalya said three Russians had been detained over suspected connection to IS, said Russian state news agency RIA.
Turkey has been hit by a string of deadly attacks blamed on jihadists in the past year, but Tuesday’s bombing was the first time in recent memory that tourists had been targeted in the heart of the city.

The bomber, identified as Nabil Fadli, detonated his charge on Sultanahmet Square, which is home to Turkey’s most visited historic sites, including the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia church.
The police yesterday removed a cordon set up after the attack that had prevented access to the blast area, which was thronged by media and some tourists, said an AFP correspondent.

Some placed red roses to remember the victims beside the obelisk, which appeared to have sustained no damage in the bombing.