Erdogan Reports Involvement of Former Soviet Union Natives in Terrorist Attack in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the involvement of nationals from the former Soviet republics in the terrorist attack in Istanbul's airport Ataturk.

Thirty people have been detained, among them the natives of Dagestan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said that among the suspects there are natives of Dagestan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, according to Hurriyet. Earlier involvement of one or two Russian citizens, as well as a native of Kyrgyzstan, in the attack was reported.

"Unfortunately, the terrorist attack involved our neighbors in the North Caucasus," said Erdogan, confirming that the attack was organized by the Islamic State.

Earlier involvement of at least one Russian was reported by the media. On June 30, Reuters, referring to the representative of the Turkish authorities, reported that a Russian citizen was among the bombers who attacked the Istanbul airport. Earlier participation of natives of Chechnya and Dagestan in the assault was reported by the Turkish media.

On July 1 the Turkish agency DHA reported that two of the three suicide bombers who blew themselves up at the airport had Russian passports. One of them had a passport in the name of Rakim Bulgarov, and the other - in the name of Vadim Osmanov. -02D-