Mosque attacker in Ilıca sentenced to 2 year imprisonment

In the case heard at the Xanthi courthouse on Tuesday 4 July, the court found the attacker guilty. The attacker who tore the Holy Qur'an in the mosque in the bathrooms neighbourhood of Ilica village was sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine of 500 Euros.

The attacker who tore the Holy Korans in the mosque in Ilıca village of Mustafçova municipality in Xanthi was identified as 64 years old French citizen and his name was Alen Granz. The attacker had identified himself differently in his first statement. The attacker was sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of 500 euro and the execution of the sentence (anastoli) was postponed for three years.

The hearing at the Xanthi courthouse was watched by Eyüp Köse, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ilica and its members who filed a complaint against the attacker, as well as Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Xanthi, Cemil Kabza, candidate for Mayor of Mustafçova, Murat Köse, Municipality Councilor of Mustafçova, Hasan Nazır, former district director of Ilica and witness of the hearing, Ismet Tüccar, Secretary General of Xanthi Turkish Union, Cengiz Ömer, President of Çınar Association and many kinsmen.

It was noted that the attacker, whose name was identified as Alen Granz, may appeal the case. The attacker named Alen Granz also tried to provoke the cognates who were following the hearing by raising his voice from time to time during the hearing and gesticulating from time to time. The Court Panel and the security officers on duty had to intervene in the aggressive behaviour of the attacker and give a stern warning upon the reaction of the cognates following the hearing.

Hasan Nazır, the former Ilıca District Director, and Eyüp Köse, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the village, testified at the hearing. Ahmet Kara acted as the lawyer of the board of trustees of Ilıca village.

After the trial, Lawyer Ahmet Kara explained the details of the trial to Millet Newspaper.