Syriac Monk Kidnapped in Mardin

Monk Edip Daniel Savci was yesterday kidnapped on the way from Midyat, a district town in Mardin in southeastern Turkey, to Baristepe village where he lives.

Anto Nuay, the head of the Midyat Churches Foundation administrative board, said that the monk's phone was then used to call a monastry in Mardin and ask for a ransom of 300,000 Euros. Later, a message was sent from the same phone, reading: "Do what you are told and bring 300,000 Euros, or we will kill him."

Savci has long been a priest at the church attached to the Syriac Purple Jacob Monastry in Baristepe.

Atalay condemned kidnapping

Minister of the Interior Besir Atalay said, "The event is very saddening and I condemn it. We are acting. All care is taken." Atalay said that the prosecution had taken over.

Kiliclar: All security units cooperating 

Mardin governor Mehmet Kiliclar confirmed that Savci was returning from Midyat to Baristepe at around 2 pm and that he was not heard from since. He also confirmed the demand for ransom, adding: "We have formed a crisis desk. All security units are cooperating. At the moment there are no clues pointing to a politically or ideologically motivated act."

"Islam does not allow hurting religious men"

The Department of Religious Affairs has made a statement saying, "Our noble religion does not accept hurting religious men, whatever religion they may belong to", and called for the release of Edip Daniel Savci.

In March, a hand granade was thrown into the garden of Yusuf Türker, the head of the Syriac Churches Foundation administrative board. (EÜ/AG)

* This news item used information from eskimidyat.com