CONVERTS’ TRIAL SHOWS TENSIONS BEFORE POPE’S VISIT

"A criminal trial against two Turkish Christians accused of “insulting Turkishness” and inciting hatred against Islam grabbed national media coverage as religious tensions mounted before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow. Hakan Tastan, 37, and Turan Topal, 46, emerged from the opening hearing at Silivri Criminal Court on Thursday (November 23) to a cluster of clamoring journalists. Tastan promptly stepped up to the microphones to state, “We are being accused because we are Christians and because we have done missionary work.” Formally the two Christians are charged with violating Article 301 of the Turkish penal code for allegedly denigrating “Turkish identity.” The two former Muslims are also accused under separate statutes of reviling Islam and secretly compiling files on private citizens. “We don’t use force to tell anyone about Christianity,” Tastan said. “But we are Christians, and if the Lord permits, we will continue to proclaim this.”

Compass Direct News : TURKEY - CONVERTS’ TRIAL SHOWS TENSIONS BEFORE POPE’S VISIT