Yusuf Akbulut

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Father Yusuf Akbulut is a Orthodox Assyrian priest from St. Mary's Church in Diyarbakır,Turkey.[1][2] He was arrested by Turkish authorities after stating in an interview that he believed Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks have been victims of a genocide by Turkey.[3]

A native of Anıtlı (Hah), a village in Midyat district, Father Yusuf Akbulut was approached in October 2000 by reporters from the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet and questioned as to his views regarding the Armenian Genocide. Father Akbulut responded that not only Armenians but Assyrians were also massacred and, as a direct consequence of his response being made public, he was arrested and charged with inciting racial hatred.[4] He was released after Turkey came under pressure from human rights groups and a campaign organized by Assyrians, Armenians, Greeks and Kurds. [5]

Preceded by
-		 Zinda Magazine Assyrian of the Year
2002 (6751)		 Succeeded by
Ken Joseph Jr.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Turkish Court Tries Assyrian Priest For Backing Armenians", Associated Press, December 21-23, 2000.
  2. ^ [U.S. Congressional Letter on Fr. Yusuf Akbulut]
  3. ^ Nicholas Jubber. Who Remembers the Armenians?.
  4. ^ U.S. Congressional Letter on Father Yusuf Akbulut
  5. ^ Armenian National Committee of America: UNDER GROWING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TURKEY RELEASES ASSYRIAN PRIEST

[edit] See also