An Italian Roman Catholic priest was stabbed today at his church in the city of Izmir in western Turkey, police said.

The priest, identified as Adriano Franchini, was taken to hospital. His life was not in danger, a police spokesman told Reuters. He had been stabbed in the stomach.

Police have detained three people, the spokesman said, adding it was too soon to say what the motive of the attack was.

Turkey's state Anatolian news agency said a 19-year-old man was suspected of having stabbed the priest.

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