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Police may have found Istanbul nightclub attacker

Turkish police say they may have found the gunman who opened fire on an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day killing 39 people and wounding 70 more.

Here's what we know about him:

  • The attacker was a lone gunman who opened fire in the Reina nightclub in the Ortakoy district of Istanbul at around 1.30am on New Year's Day
  • He was captured on CCTV before and after the incident
  • His identity has been established but officials have not publicly released his name
  • It is thought he is a member of the Uighur community - a Muslim group who live in western China
  • More than 50 people, including the suspect's wife, have been detained in connection with the attack
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Police 'close to identifying Istanbul nightclub attacker'

Police in Turkey released two photographs on Monday of the man they believe is responsible. Credit: ITV News

Turkish authorities are close to identifying the suspect responsible for an attack on an Istanbul nightclub in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told a press conference: "Information about the fingerprints and basic appearance of the terrorist have been found. In the process after this, work to identify him swiftly will be carried out."

Mr Kurtulmus said Turkey's continuing involvement in Syria, which began in August, clearly annoyed terror groups and those behind them.

He said the offensive to push back so-called Islamic State militants from its border and prevent Kurdish militia fighters from taking ground in their wake would continue until all threats to Turkey were removed.

Earlier on Monday, authorities in Istanbul detained eight other people in relation to the 'terror attack'.

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Police may have found Istanbul nightclub attacker

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