ISTANBUL - Turkish police have detained a man accused of firing shots outside the Italian consulate in Istanbul, apparently in protest at the planned visit of Pope Benedict XVI at the end of the month. The man, identified as Ibrahim Ak, was quoted in the local media as saying that he had opened fire on the consulate because he was angered at the forthcoming visit of the Pope, who is due to arrive in Turkey for a four day visit starting on November 28.
According to Turkish officials, Ak fired at least two shots at the consulate before throwing his gun into the grounds of the complex, apparently after his weapon jammed.
A spokesman for the Vatican in Rome played down the shooting, saying that it was an isolated incident that would no affect the preparations for the Pontif’s visit.
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