The BBC does its best to whitewash this case, blaming the murders on nationalism, but it can't help reporting also that the killers suspected the missionaries of a "plot to undermine Islam," and that missionaries are viewed as a threat in the hinterlands. "Turks in Christian murder trial," by Sarah Rainsford for the BBC (thanks to PRCS):
Five young men are due to go on trial in eastern Turkey, accused of killing three Christians earlier this year.The Christians, who included a pastor and a German missionary, were stabbed repeatedly and had their throats cut.
The suspects, aged 19 and 20, were detained at the scene of the crime, a Protestant publishing house in Malatya.
The murders have prompted three Christian families to leave the town, leaving only around two dozen people in its small Protestant community.
The five suspects face three life sentences each, while two other are charged with membership of a terrorist organisation.
The killings were gruesome, condemned at the time by Turkey's prime minister as savage.
The three Christians had their hands and feet bound.
They were stabbed repeatedly, then had their throats cut.
One was a local pastor, another a German missionary who had lived in Turkey with his family for several years....
Christians threatened
In all cases, the alleged killers have been nationalist-minded young men or even teenagers.
In Malatya, the accused claimed to police they were acting to protect Turkey against a plot to undermine Islam and divide the country.
The state prosecutor has asked for three life sentences for each man charged with murder.
But a lawyer acting for the victims' families says he is concerned by the tone of the indictment.
More than half of the 31 files focus on the missionary work of the men murdered.
They includes contact details of those people they approached.
The lawyer believes that will help those accused plead provocation.
There are only around 100,000 Christians left in Turkey, less than 1% of the population.
But nationalists view missionaries in particular as a threat, especially in remote places like Malatya.
U.S and mankey Milliband INSIST Turkey be admitted
to E.U...Are they mad ? 70 million pious [fanatical or should I describe them as 'moderate'] Muslims added to already existing numbers would be the death knell of the West.
It's ironic that Europe defended itself from Islam for hundreds of years only to be handed upon a plate to Turkey by order of Bush The Moronic^& Weasel Blair.
"Nationalist-minded"?
Why not fly your flag proudly, wear a flag lapel pin, or a hockey jersey for your national team, or a t-shirt proclaiming your love of country?
No, far better to stab and slit throats. It's patriotic murder, that's all.
Undermine Islam: tell the truth about it.
"...But nationalists view missionaries in particular as a threat, ...)
...all that love, peace, and charity they preach must really be disturbing to Muslims......
...Ban Muslim Immigration...
Al Bebeeceera is despicable. Their reporting sux.
This case truly shows the Turks for what they are. Turkey, 'moderate' Turkey, is still an economic basket case and has nothing to show for, all that glitters is paid for by the jiziyah from the West, most of it from Germany.
Perhaps Turkey is somewhat better than Egypt, but does that mean its a civilized country on a par with the countries in Europe proper?
Turkey has no place in the EU and for Erdogan and his crew to believe that they can somehow subvert the continent into the Muhammedan nightmare they so desire will backfire.
I'm not impressed by enything I've seen in Turkey.
...Turkey, like Egypt is regressing back to the 7th century.....it is what happens when you allow Muslims to rule.....
Ban Muslim Immigration...
Since when have islamists been nationists ?
The BBC is a tax payer funded pro-Islamic organisation committed to the destruction of Britain and its Christian roots. We see yet again how the BBC tries to minimise or deflect the Islamic nature of these murders and put the blame on 'nationalism'. The implied position of the BBC is that "nationalism" is bad, real bad. We must learn from this, according to the BBC, and not let nationalism ever take purchase in Britain.
"...Turkey, like Egypt is regressing back to the 7th century.....it is what happens when you allow Muslims to rule....."
Egypt is lost, but don't be so quick to consign Turkey to the proverbial dustbin. Their secularists are committed to secularism with a fervor that borders on insanity (of the good kind). They certainly won't go down without a fight.
...plus, a country that makes such excellent beer can't be ALL bad.
...Turkey won't make it into the EU. Relax. By continuing to deny the Armenian Genocide and continuing to imprison those who dare to speak of it, they've alienated most of their supporters in Europe.
This is one danger that I think we can dismiss and rest a bit easier.