Killer of Serbian fan Turkish, Istanbul police chief confirms

Seven suspects have been detained in an investigation into the murder of a Serbian fan who was killed during incidents that erupted on the sidelines of last week's Euroleague Basketball game between Galatasaray and Red Star Belgrade in Istanbul, the city's top police official confirmed Nov. 28.

Istanbul Police Chief Selami Altınok also suggested that the identity of the killer was known by investigators. "I can say that the perpetrator is a Turkish citizen," Altınok said. Those who are involved in the murder are not the hooligans who took part in fights prior to the game, he added.

The murder of the 25-year-old Red Star supporter Marko Ivkovic has strained the ties between the two countries, with Serbia accusing Turkish police of neglect. It has also raised tension in the competition, as fan groups of Olympiakos, pitted in the same group as Galatasaray, pledged that "Orthodox fraternity would take revenge."

Ultras of Galatasaray responded with a controversial move, creating a banner featuring a checklist of supporters groups for several teams including Red Star and Olympiakos, with a check mark by Red Star's name.

Galatasaray supporters gained international notoriety after hooligans stabbed two Leeds United supporters, Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, to death before a 2000 UEFA Cup semifinal tie in Istanbul.