January 2020

On January 9, during a security operation by Turkish forces, Syriac monk of Saint Jacob Monastery Sefer (Aho) Bilecen, chief of the Arkah (Üçköy) village Josef Yar and Syriac citizen Musa Taştekin, which returned from Europe, had been detained with 10 other civilians. Following detention investigation Musa Taşdemir have been released quickly. On the other hand, detention of Josef Yar continues and with an unprecedented move Monk Aho have been arrested by Turkish forces. Based on the secret witness statements, arrest of Monk Aho shocked Syriac Christians around the world and particularly tiny Syriac community of Turabdin.