Suspect admits to Istanbul nightclub attack after arrest

Turkish officials confirmed this morning that police have arrested the man they believe attacked an Istanbul nightclub in the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing 39 people. Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin identified the suspect as Abdulkadir Masharipov, an Uzbekistan national who trained in Afghanistan. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack. Masharipov reportedly confessed to police after his arrest. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said he hoped Masharipov would provide more details about the “forces” behind the attack. Police also arrested an Iraqi man and three women in the late Monday raid on an apartment in Istanbul’s Esenyurt neighborhood. Officials seized nearly $200,000, two guns, and two drones during the operation. Police detained Masharipov’s wife on Jan. 12.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.