PRAYER: Turkey: update #20 on trial of murderers of Christians
ICC Note:
Turkish Christians ask for prayer concerning the families of the Christian victims of the Malatya murders. The trial of the five men charged with the murder of the three Christians is underway.
10/26/2010 Turkey (Middle East Concern) – The trial continues of the five men charged with the murder of three Christians, Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske, at the Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya, Eastern Turkey, in April 2007. The five men, aged 19 and 20 at the time, were arrested at the scene and have been held in custody ever since. Their trial opened in November 2007 and became complicated as a result of efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators.
Recall that earlier this year the judges formally requested the file on the Cage Plan, a conspiracy involving serving and former navy officers organising assassinations of members of religious minorities. The Cage Plan is part of a wider investigation called Ergenekon.
At the most recent hearing, held on 15th October, the court ordered the arrest of a “middleman”. He is both suspected of inciting the five defendants to commit the murders and was already under investigation for involvement in Ergenekon. The lawyers representing the victims’ families believe that this arrest will formally link the murders with Ergenekon and is, therefore, another significant step in identifying those behind the perpetrators.
The next hearing was scheduled for 3rd December.
Turkish Christians request our continued prayers that:
a. Family members and friends of the victims will continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues
b. Justice will be done concerning the perpetrators, and that all those behind them will be identified
c. There would be renewed international attention towards the Malatya trial
d. All those who aided or perpetrated the murders would have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness
e. The judges, other officials, lawyers and journalists involved will hear the gospel of Jesus, feel the Spirit’s conviction of sin and be drawn to the Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance
f. All Christians involved will know the Spirit’s enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere in their efforts to promote justice
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