Assyrian priest indicted on terrorism charges in Turkey

The Assyrian Policy Institute is deeply concerned by the indictment of Assyrian Priest Sefer Aho Bileçen (who leads Mor Yacoub Syriac Orthodox Monastery) on terrorism charges in Turkey. He was formally indicted on January 16, 2020, however, Turkish authorities withheld the information until February 8, 2020.

Bileçen was arrested along with two others on January 9, 2020 in Tur Abdin, Mardin Province located in southeastern Turkey. He was reportedly accused of providing food and water to members of the military wing of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK). The PKK is a Kurdish militant and political organization founded in Turkey, but operating throughout the region, whose stated mission is to seek greater Kurdish political and cultural rights in Turkey.

Assyrian human rights activists are routinely detained on charges of terrorism and links to the PKK without evidence