Syriac Monastery in Turkey Court Proceeding Status (June 2009)

London, UK

In an astonishing verdict, the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), a recognized NGO at the United Nations that represents the Aramean (Syriac) people worldwide, reports that the court trial held today on Wednesday, June 24 2009, in Midyat, Turkey, has resulted in a lose of the “Forestry Case” by the Saint (Mor) Gabriel Monastery.

However, in another puzzling decision, the Court also ruled today in favour of the Monastery on the “Treasury” Case.

The Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), a recognized NGO at the United Nations that represents the Aramean (Syriac) people worldwide, reports that the court trial held today on Wednesday, June 17 2009, in Midyat, Turkey, has once again been postponed.

The Attorney acting for the Turkish State Treasury Department, relating to a claim for some 24 Hectares of Land (“Treasury Case”), requested more time to study the evidence put forward by the Monastery. Granting this appeal, the Judge adjourned this case to next Wednesday, 24 June. This case will be heard together with: 

• The “Forestry” Land claim (approximately 34 Hectares of Land); and
• The case involving the Head of the Religious Foundation of the Monastery, Mr. Kuryakos Ergün, as a defendant, for the “intentional violation of the Forestry law.”

Regarding the Treasury Case, insiders expect a verdict will follow next week in favor of the Monastery. But Mr Ergün believes the trials will be particularly difficult, adding: "We expect a decision on 24 June and although we are confident in relation to the Treasury Case, we are not so sure about the Forestry Cases."