Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Diyarbakir DGM postpones 'Syriac bishop' case again
by TURKISH Daily News - 22 Dec. 2000
Posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 03:09 am CST

Court postpones trial due to lack of information

Ankara - Turkish Daily News

The second session in the trial of Syriac Bishop Yusuf Akbulut was held at Diyarbakir No. 2 State Security Court (DGM) yesterday, but the verdict was postponed to a further session to be held next month.

After the hearing, the court postponed the trial on the grounds that further information was needed and prosecutor and defense attorneys were asked to complete the deficient files.

Akbulut, a Syriac bishop at Diyarbakir Meryem Ana Syriac church is being tried for criticizing the Turkish state with respect to the Armenian genocide. Speaking to several local newspapers and national channels he said that Turks had killed not only Armenians but also Syriacs and other christian groups during the first years of the republic. But Akbulut, denying these claims, said that he had not said that was published in the newspapers.

Two German and Swedish parliamentarians and the U.S. consul in Adana, have been following the case closely.

In related news, Greek Orthodox Church Fener Patriarch Bartolomeos I paid a courtesy visit to Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bartolomeos I said that they wanted to congratulate Sezer for his election as president and to wish him well for the feast and New Year.

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