Two Chinese citizens believed to be members of the rebel Uighurs Muslim group have been placed in custody by a Turkish court on Friday over their alleged involvement in the Istanbul terror attack on Jan. 1.

The two suspects, Omar Asim and Abuliezi Abuduhamiti, were charged with assisting in 39 counts of first-degree murder and also being part of an armed terror organization.

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The Independent.ie reported that the Uighurs Muslim Group has claimed responsibility for the New Year's Eve incident saying that it was in retaliation for the Turkish military operations in North Syria.

The attack was carried out by one gunman who was dressed as Santa Claus at the Reina nightclub in Ortakoy neighborhood, Besiktas district, Istanbul. Armed with an assault rifle at hand, he sprayed bullets all over the venue, killed 39 people, and injured 69 individuals who were in attendance. 

"He first killed the police officer who was standing at the club," Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin narrated. "He then went on a rampage inside, killing innocent civilians." Eyewitnesses said that the suspect kept speaking in Arabic all throughout the massacre.

Despite Uighur taking the responsibility for the massacre, it was until last week when an official confirmed on the possibility of the gunman being a member of the rebel group.

Tagschina, Istanbul, terror attack, Uighurs Muslim Group