Jim's Random Thoughts and Pictures

Turkey: updates on trial of murderers of Christians and on Monastery legal cases | December 21, 2011

Last week we requested prayer concerning the long-running legal case following the murders of three Christians (Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske) at the Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya, Eastern Turkey, in April 2007. Five men, aged 19 and 20 at the time, were arrested at the scene and were charged with the murder. Their trial opened in November 2007 and became complicated as a result of efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators.

At the hearing on 16th December no verdicts were issued, contrary to the lawyers’ expectations. However, a witness testified that he had had knowledge of a plot to murder the publishing house staff and informed the authorities one week prior to the attack.

The next hearing is scheduled for 17th February 2012.

Under Turkish law, those accused will be exonerated if they have not been formally convicted and sentenced within five years. Therefore, delays beyond April 2012 may lead to the perpetrators being released.

Further prayer has also been requested for another long-running series of legal cases. We last requested prayer concerning the St. Gabriel Monastery, eastern Turkey, in March 2011. The monastery faces five court cases concerning, among other matters, a land-ownership dispute with the Turkish Treasury. The next hearing in one of the cases is scheduled for 12th January 2012. In another of the cases, an appeal was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights earlier this year but no hearings have yet been scheduled.

 Turkish Christians request our continued prayers that:

a.  Family members and friends of the Malatya victims will continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues

b.  Justice will be done concerning the perpetrators, and that all those behind them will be identified

c.  All those who aided or perpetrated the murders would have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness

d.  The true ownership of all areas of land surrounding St. Gabriel Monastery will be accurately identified

e.  All Christians involved will know the Spirit’s enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere in their efforts to promote justice

f.  All judges, other officials, lawyers and journalists involved will hear the gospel of Jesus, and be drawn to the Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance.

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Web site: www.meconcern.org