The trial of Western Thracian Turks who protested the muftis appointed by the Greek state was postponed

GUMULCINE (AA) – The case filed against 4 Western Thrace Turks regarding the blocking of the muftis appointed by the Greek state from entering the Çınar Mosque in the city of Xanthi in Western Thrace has been postponed. In the case heard at the Xanthi Court, the trial of Hüseyin Baltacı, Ozan Ahmetoğlu, Bahri Belço and Murat Köse continued. The court was postponed after one of the defendants could not attend the hearing due to health problems.

Before the hearing, many Western Thrace Turks gathered in front of the court building to support the people on trial. A group supporting the muftis appointed by the Greek state was also present in front of the court. Group members occasionally shouted slogans such as Long Live Greece and Get Out Turks. After the hearing, while the elected muftis and Western Thrace Turks took a photo together, there was a short-term tension due to the verbal taunts of the opposing group.

Making a statement after the hearing, Mustafa Trampa, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Western Thrace Turkish Minority and Elected Mufti of Xanthi, stated that the case concerns not only the defendants but also the entire Western Thrace Turkish community. Barter, Not only 4 of our friends are being tried here, but the existence of the entire minority is being questioned. he said. Stating that Western Thrace Turks are following the case closely, Trampa noted that the society will continue its solidarity in the future hearings.

Elected Mufti of Komotini, İbrahim Şerif, also said that what happened in front of the court aimed to create the impression that there was a difference of opinion within the Western Thrace Turkish community. Şerif stated that there was an opinion that some people were specifically brought before the court for this purpose, and that it was observed that these people felt remorse for what happened. Şerif emphasized that Western Thrace Turks are in unity and solidarity.

The hearing was watched by Western Thrace Turkish MPs Burhan Baran, Özgür Ferhat and Hüseyin Zeybek and many compatriots. – What happened? Following the opening of the Xanthi Madrasa on Friday, October 11, 2024, with the participation of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Yorgos Kalancis, the muftis appointed by the Greek state wanted to perform the Friday prayer with the congregation in the Çınar Mosque, but were removed from the mosque by the minority members.

In Greece, the religious leaders of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, muftis and the board of directors of the minority’s foundations are appointed by the state. The Turkish minority opposes these practices and wants muftis elected by them to serve.