İskeçe Çınar Mosque case set for hearing on June 5

A court hearing concerning events that took place at the Çınar Mosque in İskeçe during Friday prayers on October 11, 2024, is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 5, at the İskeçe Courthouse.

Four individuals – Hüseyin Baltacı, Ozan Ahmetoğlu, Bahri Belço, and Murat Köse – are expected to stand trial in connection with the incident.

The case stems from tensions that emerged following the inauguration ceremony of the new building of the İskeçe Madrasa on October 11, 2024. According to reports from the time, the controversy began when the state-appointed muftis of Gümülcine, İskeçe, and Dimetoka sought to attend Friday prayers at Çınar Mosque after the opening ceremony.

Members of the congregation reportedly objected to their presence and called on the muftis to remove their religious attire, including their robes and turbans. The request was not accepted, leading to a period of tension inside the mosque. The situation was ultimately defused after the muftis left the premises, allowing Friday prayers to continue.

Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation that resulted in charges being brought against former İskeçe Turkish Union President Ozan Ahmetoğlu, former President of the Association of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Hüseyin Baltacı, FEP Party Vice President Bahri Belço, and Murat Köse.

The first hearing in the case was held on March 27, 2026. The proceedings were subsequently postponed, with the next session scheduled for June 5.

The upcoming hearing is expected to attract significant attention from members of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, community organizations, and observers following issues related to religious rights, minority affairs, and community representation in the region.