"Strict security controls surrounded the second court hearing for two Turkish Christians facing criminal charges for insulting Turkish identity under the nation’s controversial Article 301."
"At their January 29 hearing, the presiding judge again closed his court to all observers, with only the defendants and their lawyer present for the defense. They faced seven prosecuting lawyers led by ultranationalist attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, notorious in Turkey for having hounded the outspoken Dink with multiple charges under Article 301."
"Fatih Kose, 23, the only adult among the three accusers, took the witness stand for the first time in the case. In his testimony, Kose reportedly admitted that he had visited Tastan’s church in Istanbul several times of his own free will.
While reiterating his written accusations, Kose contradicted himself several times as to where and when he had heard specific “illegal” statements, and from which of the two defendants. “His testimony was very contradictory,” Polat said, “and this kept angering the judge, who really chewed him out over many of his statements.”
When Polat asked the court whether Kose was a member of any known political group in Silivri, Kerincsiz reportedly shook his fists at Polat, objecting so vehemently to the question that the judge ordered him to stop “making a show.”
"Kerincsiz further embarrassed himself when the judge demanded to know why he had not produced the two teenager accusers in court. The lawyer’s explanation that the two boys had not gotten permission to be absent from school that day fell flat with the judge, who dryly reminded Kerincsiz that all the nation’s schools had closed three days earlier for their annual winter recess."
"In his statements at Monday’s hearing, Kerincsiz reportedly accused Tastan’s church of breaking the law by collecting offerings and tithes from the congregation. The attorney insisted that Turkish law required all domestic institutions to obtain permission from their local civil authorities to collect funds.
“Every mosque in Turkey has an offering box for the donations of the faithful,” Topal commented to Compass. “So don’t we Christian citizens have that same right ?”
"Ever since the case was filed against them, Tastan told Compass yesterday, he has been made aware that his e-mails, telephone calls, home and even movements in the area have been under constant surveillance.
“The day after I visit anyone, whether it’s a relative or some acquaintance in another town, the secret police come around and question them about my visit,” Tastan said. “Am I considered a terrorist, that I warrant such attention ?”
“We don’t know what the results of this trial will be,” Tastan said. “But God knows. And I think that the judge understood on Monday that the people accusing us are not telling the truth.”
Turkish Police Clamp Strict Security on Christians' Trial
"At their January 29 hearing, the presiding judge again closed his court to all observers, with only the defendants and their lawyer present for the defense. They faced seven prosecuting lawyers led by ultranationalist attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, notorious in Turkey for having hounded the outspoken Dink with multiple charges under Article 301."
"Fatih Kose, 23, the only adult among the three accusers, took the witness stand for the first time in the case. In his testimony, Kose reportedly admitted that he had visited Tastan’s church in Istanbul several times of his own free will.
While reiterating his written accusations, Kose contradicted himself several times as to where and when he had heard specific “illegal” statements, and from which of the two defendants. “His testimony was very contradictory,” Polat said, “and this kept angering the judge, who really chewed him out over many of his statements.”
When Polat asked the court whether Kose was a member of any known political group in Silivri, Kerincsiz reportedly shook his fists at Polat, objecting so vehemently to the question that the judge ordered him to stop “making a show.”
"Kerincsiz further embarrassed himself when the judge demanded to know why he had not produced the two teenager accusers in court. The lawyer’s explanation that the two boys had not gotten permission to be absent from school that day fell flat with the judge, who dryly reminded Kerincsiz that all the nation’s schools had closed three days earlier for their annual winter recess."
"In his statements at Monday’s hearing, Kerincsiz reportedly accused Tastan’s church of breaking the law by collecting offerings and tithes from the congregation. The attorney insisted that Turkish law required all domestic institutions to obtain permission from their local civil authorities to collect funds.
“Every mosque in Turkey has an offering box for the donations of the faithful,” Topal commented to Compass. “So don’t we Christian citizens have that same right ?”
"Ever since the case was filed against them, Tastan told Compass yesterday, he has been made aware that his e-mails, telephone calls, home and even movements in the area have been under constant surveillance.
“The day after I visit anyone, whether it’s a relative or some acquaintance in another town, the secret police come around and question them about my visit,” Tastan said. “Am I considered a terrorist, that I warrant such attention ?”
“We don’t know what the results of this trial will be,” Tastan said. “But God knows. And I think that the judge understood on Monday that the people accusing us are not telling the truth.”
Turkish Police Clamp Strict Security on Christians' Trial
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