Abdulkadir Masharipov: Reina Club Attack Suspect Arrested in Istanbul

Uzbek national Abdulkadir Masharipov, who is suspected of carrying out the New Year’s Eve attack on Istanbul’s Reina club, was trained in Afghanistan, the city’s governor says.

Vasip Sahin said Abdulkadir Masharipov was believed to have entered Turkey in January 2016.

The governor said the suspect had confessed to the attack and that his fingerprints matched those found at the scene.

Thirty-nine people died in the attack on the Reina club with dozens wounded.

Among the victims were citizens of Israel, France, Tunisia, Lebanon, India, Belgium, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

ISIS said it was behind the attack, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.

Police arrested Abdulkadir Masharipov on January 16 at the home of a Kyrgyz friend in Istanbul, Turkish media reported. The friend was also reportedly detained, along with three women.

Vasip Sahin said that contrary to earlier reports, Abdulkadir Masharipov’s four year-old son was not with him when he was caught.

Police also seized pistols, ammunition and foreign currency in the raid, Vasip Sahin added.