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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ January 17, 2001
Contact: Lucy Keshishian
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AADLC Calls on Congressional Democrats and Bush Administration to Save Christian Priest in Turkey
Assyrian Priest Faces Jail Time For Acknowledging the Armenian Genocide
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Falls Church, VA: In an open letter to the White House and all members of the Democratic Caucus of the 107th Congress, the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC) has called for immediate action to save an Assyrian Priest who has been imprisoned in Turkey for speaking about the Armenian Genocide. Father Yusuf Akbulut, an Assyrian Orthodox parish priest in eastern Turkey, has been charged with treason for telling local reporters that his community, like the Armenians, had been the victim of genocide early in the 20th century.
Turkish authorities have formerly charged Father Akbulut with “provoking hatred and religious enmity” under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code. His trial is being held in eastern Turkey at Second State Security Court in Diyarbekir, Turkey.
“We urge Members of Congress and the incoming Bush Administration to work together to save Father Akbulut from the unjust jail sentence he is facing in Turkey,” said AADLC Executive Director Lucy Keshishian. “It is our hope that Congressional action will help free Father Akbulut and end Turkey’s attempt to imprison those who speak about the mass slaughter of Christians in Ottoman Turkey,” she added.
During the course of World War I over one million Christian Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks were murdered by Turkish Ottoman forces. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the Republic of Turkey consistently denies the Armenian Genocide. Last year under intense pressure and threats from the Turkish government, the Congress deferred action on the consideration of the Armenian Genocide resolution.
International interest in the plight of Father Akbulut has been growing. At the beginning of his trial on December 21, 2000, diplomatic missions of the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden all sent observers. According to a news report from Compass Direct, sixty-five members of the Swedish Parliament have signed a letter of inquiry regarding Father Akbulut’s case.
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