Update: Trial to Resume in Beating of Turkish Christian

The Orhangazi Criminal Court has set July 8 as the date to assess the latest medical reports on Yakup Cindilli, a Christian who was severely beaten in October 2003 as he was distributing New Testaments.  After two months in a coma, Cindilli has been slowly recovering.  In March 2004, medical examiners said they would need to wait fifteen months to determine how much permanent injury Cindilli was suffering (click here for details).  The judge ordered the additional tests, to be presented this week.

Cindilli's parents are strict Muslims and had refused any contact with Christians.  However, since January they have allowed members of the Bursa Protestant Church to take their son for physical therapy, which has helped significantly.  Pastor Ismail Kulakcioglu told Compass Direct that his right arm is still affected and he is not entirely back to normal psychologically, although he can now speak clearly and express his opinions.  He is able to do some light physical work.

Three members of the militant Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are accused of assaulting Cindilli.  Family members are hoping that the case will now be able to be concluded.  Despite pressures from his family to renounce his faith, a member of the Bursa church reported that, "Yakup is very committed to stay faithful to Jesus, in spite of what happened."

Pray for a final and just resolution to this case.  Pray for Cindilli's full healing.  Pray that his family will see the love of Christ in Cindilli and other church members and will come to faith in Christ.

For more information on the difficulties facing Turkish Christians, 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.

Türkiye News

  • Gunmen Attack Worship Service
    The grounds of the church where the shooting took place.
    Santa Maria Catholic Church

    On the morning of January 28th, two gunmen entered the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul, Türkiye. Wearing masks, the men walked into the church, shot into the air, and then killed one person. Security footage shows the gun apparently jamming just before the men left.

  • Asylum Seekers Face Deportation
    Ninous Italiaee with his wife and child.
    Pastor Ninous Italiaee’s family before his detainment.
    Photo: Article18

    In the wake of the recent devastating earthquake, the focus of the world lately has been on Türkiye and northern Syria where, at the time of composing this Persecution & Prayer Alert report, more than 20,000 people have died as a result of the catastrophe. In addition, tens of thousands of survivors have been left homeless amid the cold of winter. Reports from Christians in an affected area reveal the extensive suffering taking place due to the loss of loved ones and the tremendous need for surviving victims to receive blankets, food and other important necessities required to sustain life.

  • Foreign Christian Workers Expelled
    Joy Subasiguller - Photo: Facebook / Joy Subasiguller
    Joy Subaşıgüller and her family
    Photo: Facebook / Joy Subaşıgüller

    Last year, at least thirty-five foreign Christian workers were expelled from Turkey, as their permits had been either revoked or denied renewal. So far this year, the number of those forced to leave the country has already reached sixteen. The latest of those workers are Joy Subaşıgüller and Pastor Zach Balon, both from the United States.

  • Teacher Dismissed for Social Media Posts
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Kusadasi, Turkey
    Photo: Wikipedia / jpitha (c)

    A Christian teacher has been dismissed from her teaching job after the press accused her of conducting missionary activities through social media. Esma Bağci Kaya had been teaching religion and morality at the Hasan Fatma Onal Anadolu High School, a private school in Kusadasi, for the past two years.