An investigation has been launched against the Surp Giragos Church Foundation due to the person injured in the forbidden church in Diyarbakır-Sur.
An investigation was launched against the Diyarbakır Armenian Surp Giragos Church Foundation upon the complaint of 16-year-old Yılmaz Örek, who was seriously injured when the arch was overturned while he said he was visiting the 500-year-old Surp Sarkis Church, with his friends in Sur District of Diyarbakır, which is on the verge of collapse because it could not be protected.
DID NOT ACCEPT THE CHARGES
Gafur Türkay, Board Member of Diyarbakır Armenian Surp Giragos Church Foundation, stated that they did not accept the accusations, that the stones of the church were stolen and that they had made necessary applications for its protection, and claimed that the incident may have occurred during the attempt to steal the stones.
“I’M PLAINTIFF AND COMPLAINANT”
Although it is forbidden to enter the 500-year-old Surp Sarkis Church because it is dangerous, 16-year-old Yılmaz Örek, who entered the church with his two friends on December 14, 2019, was seriously injured as a result of the falling stones and received treatment in the hospital for a long time. Örek, who was discharged after treatment, complained about the church foundation on the grounds that no measures were taken, and an investigation was started regarding the incident. Örek, who gave a statement within the scope of the investigation, said, “I am plaintiff and complainant from those who are responsible for not making any arrangements regarding the environmental safety of the church.”
As part of the investigation, Gafur Türkay’s statement was also taken. In his statement, Türkay stated that the church is surrounded by a wall and that the church is private property and said, ”There is no security camera system or guard showing this place. Thefts take place from this historical building. But we do not have any application regarding this issue. We have a verbal application to the governor’s office on the subject. We went there with the Governor and the Regional Director of Foundations. We conveyed the issue to Governor and said that the stones were stolen and the issue was covered in the press. We asked for help with the preservation of the church. In the photos we took after the incident, we saw that blue rope was tied to the stones, and I guess that the destruction took place during the pulling of the rope. The church is inactive and is a trespassing area. I do not accept the accusations. On behalf of the foundation, I am complaining about the people who entered the area for theft and damaged the 500-year-old historical arch.” (Diyarbakır word)
