Trial Delayed Fifteen Months

A court in northwestern Turkey has postponed the trial of two men accused in the brutal beating of a convert to Christianity, Yakup Cindilli. Yakup was severely beaten while distributing New Testaments in October 2003. After two months in a coma, Yakup is recovering very slowly, but continues to experience serious physical, mental and psychological difficulties.

According to Compass Direct, the Orhangazi Criminal Court heard on March 25 that Yakup has gone through extensive testing to determine whether he will recover from his injuries. Medical examiners have determined that the only way to know if a recovery is imminent is to retest him in fifteen months. Upon hearing this, the judge ordered additional tests in May 2005 and set the new court date for June 18, 2005.

At present, Yakup is unable to walk on his own. He can now recognize family and friends but has frequent memory lapses and is subject to uncontrollable emotional outbursts. During the February hearings, he frequently burst into loud giggles.

Pray for continued and complete healing for Yakup Cindilli. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice. Pray for continued ministry by the Church in Turkey, where Christians make up a very small minority.

For more information on Turkey and Yakup Cindilli, click here.

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  • Country Information

    Population
    83,593,483 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkish (70-75), Kurdish (19), other minorities (7-12)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (99.8), other (0.2)

    Leader
    President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2014)

    Government type
    Parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Turkey

    Prayerfully uphold those who have had their churches and places of worship taken over by a government that does not represent their beliefs, values or ordinances. Ask the Lord to oversee the mediation process as church officials and government representatives endeavour to work out a solution that is both honouring to Him and fair to all the members of the various churches. Despite the challenges experienced by the believers of this country, may they have a sense of God's reassuring presence and peace, knowing that one day He will reign supremely and justly over the entire earth.

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Türkiye News

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Türkiye Videos

 
Turkey: Andrew Brunson's Testimony
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Turkey: God’s Hostage, the imprisonment of Andrew Brunson
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Turkey: Malatya Martyrs
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