(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Just as stories began spreading about the identity and motives of the person who carried out the terrorist attack at the high-end restaurant and lounge, the Reina, in Istanbul during the New Year's Eve celebration, Turkish authorities announced the arrest of the primary suspect in the attack.
Since his escape, Turkish authorities have purportedly led massive search operations across the country. The operations resulted in the arrest of the suspect in the area of Esenyurt on the European side of Istanbul.
The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, previously revealed that the attacker was from an Uzbekistani origin, paying allegiance to the Islamic State. According to the minister, the attacker operated under the nickname Abu Mohammed Al Khorassani and used to move around the country with a network connected to ISIS in Turkey supporting him.
The photo of the alleged terrorist suggests that the police may have beaten him during the arrest as his face is bruised and swollen, especially in the area around the eyes.
The attack on Reina created international uproar, claiming the lives of 39 people from many countries, and wounding 69. Two Moroccans died, and their mortal remains were repatriated back to Morocco on Tuesday, January 3rd.
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