Assyrian priest arrested during military operation in southeastern Turkey

Assyrian Christian priest Sefer Bileçen, the sole caretaker of Mor Yakup Monastery, a 1,500-year-old church in Turkey’s southeastern city of Mardin, was arrested on Friday after detained in Turkish army’s operation in the region.

“Assyrian priest Bileçen, who was detained yesterday, was arrested,” journalist Sedat Sur said on Twitter. But, he did not mention the reason behind the priest’s arrest.

Dün gözaltına alına Süryani rahip Aho Bileçen tutuklandı, https://t.co/3b4h48xJ1z

— Sedat Sur (@surrsedatt) January 10, 2020

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Bileçen, alongside with two other Assyrians Joseph Yar and Musa Taştekin, were detained on Thursday during a raid by Turkish soldiers in and around the Assyrian settlement Üçköy, Gazete Duvar said.

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