MINORITIES

An Assyrian monastery in Marin in southern Turkey saves its property from expropriation by the villagers, at court, following a faulty land survey made by the state in the region.

During a land survey conducted last year, two neighboring villages, Yayvantepe and Eğlence, claimed rights at the Deyrulumur Monastry, which dates back to year 397. Village officers managed to partly expand their land into the monastery's land.

Following the incident, the monastery's lawyers applied to court to overturn the decision. In contrast, village officers filed a suit to expropriate all its land. Furthermore, they claimed that the monastery violated the forest law and illegally confiscated forestland.

The monastery is regarded as a charitable foundation since the Ottoman period. In a 1936 statement, the monastery was awarded the same status. Lawyer Rudi Sümer explained the process:

"The court ruled in favor of the monastery. Another case that we filed against the Treasury and the forestation administration is due to be heard in June 24. I can explain the ruling at the site but it's impossible to put it into words."

Netherlands Ambassador to Ankara Marvel Kurpershoek, US Consulate officer Hallberg Kurt, Swedish parliament member Yılmaz Kerimo, EU Turkish Delegation member Sema Kılıçer and representatives from the Swedish parliament attended the court hearing.(MHİ/AGÜ)