1/28/19 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – A verdict issued against the five perpetrators of the 2007 Malatya murders of three Christians has been upheld by Turkey’s 16^th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation. The same court rejected a request by the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey to uncover the wider network of those who organized the attack.

The case dates back to April 2007, when three Christian converts were tortured and killed at a publishing house in Malatya, Turkey. Five men were caught at the crime’s scene. In September 2016, they were each sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for murder. They also received 30 years for “depriving a person of their liberty” and just over 9 years for “qualified attempted robbery.”

Sixteen other defendants were acquitted although they were believed to have been involved in planning the murders. Two military personnel also received prison sentences.

In July 2017, the sentences of the five men were upheld while the two military personnel were acquitted. The five men appealed again, leading to the case coming before the Court of Cassation. They lost their appeal on January 23, 2019 and the decision is final unless the men decide to take their case to the Constitutional Court.

On the one hand, it is encouraging to see that the court upheld the sentence of the five men who violently murdered these Christians in Malatya. On the other hand, it is discouraging to see that the courts have once again rejected a request to further investigate the network of those who organized the attack. The Malatya murders continues to haunt Christians, who report widespread harassment and intimidation within Turkish society.

For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].