The lawsuit filed by “Ierodidaskalos” against Millet discussed

The compensation lawsuit filed by the President and 4 members of the "Association of Religious Teachers of Islam", known as "Ierodidaskalos" or "240 appointed imams" in the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, and which was tried to be imposed on the minority by the administration in violation of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, was discussed.

The case was discussed at the Xanthi Civil Court of First Instance on Monday, 9 May.

Ahmet Kara and Giannis Barkas acted as attorneys for Millet newspaper owners Cengiz Ömer and Bilal Budur. Stergios Kellis and Stergios Yalaoglou acted as lawyers for the “Ierodidaskalos”.

On behalf of the “Ierodidaskalos”, Mehmet Mustafa, the former President and current member of the Association of “Ierodidaskalos”, was heard as a witness.

SYRIZA Xanthi Deputy Hüseyin Zeybek was the witness of Millet newspaper.

The case, which was followed by many minority lawyers and attended by Hüseyin Baltacı, the President of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association, to be heard as a second witness if necessary, lasted for approximately 1 hour.

Lawyers of both sides made their defense and handed over their files. The decision is expected to be announced at a later date.

THOSE WHO CLAIM THEMSELVES ISLAMIC TEACHERS DEMAND INTEREST THAT IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM
5 “so-called” religious teachers, members of the “Ierodidaskalos Association”, in the news titled “Blow after blow from the Mitsotakis government to the Turkish Minority” published on the website of Millet newspaper on 1 August 2020, considered as “lie” and “slander” that offend their reputation and honor. They filed a lawsuit for damages on the allegation that qualified expressions were used.

It was noteworthy that the so-called "Islamic religion teachers", who complained and whose names were mentioned in the petition, demanded a compensation of 10 thousand euros for each, a total of 50 thousand euros, together with the interests that are forbidden in the religion of Islam.

It was understood that arbitrary meanings were attributed to the translation of the newspaper article.

In the petition, it is claimed that the "Ieordidaskalos" (known in the society as the "240 Imam Law" officials) were insulted with "false news and slanderous statements".

It was claimed that with this news, religious feelings were provoked and an attempt was made to fanatize the minority nationally and religiously.

CAUSE OF CASE
In the news allegedly containing “sland and slanderous statements”, Millet newspaper discussed the law arbitrarily prepared by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, ignoring international law and our Minority, and stipulating that the appointed Muftis  are  to become the head of the committee of the council in the madrasas in Komotini and Xanthi.

In the news, the issue was analyzed comprehensively and within this framework, the issue of "Ierodidaskalos", which was not accepted by the Minority, was reflected in line with the reactions of our society.

HIGHLIGHTS

It was noteworthy that only one of the complainants was present at the hearing.

While Mehmet Mustafa, the former President of the "Association of Islamic Religious Education Teachers", was present at the hearing. The other four “Ierodidaskalos” Ahmet Ali Abdullah, Mustafa Baş Mustafa, Mustafa Baş Mehmet and İlyas Hüseyin who demanded compensation for alleged offending did not attend.

None of the members of the association who were allegedly offended were present either.

It was noteworthy that the so-called "Islamic religion teachers", who complained and whose names were mentioned in the petition, demanded a compensation of 10 thousand euros for each, a total of 50 thousand euros, together with the interests that are forbidden in the religion of Islam.

In his speech, the plaintiff and witness Mehmet Mustafa said, "According to the religion of Islam, it is not permissible to call a Minority "Turkish Minority" because nationalism is prohibited. On the other hand, the lawyer of the defendant said, "If nationalism is prohibited, it is forbidden for you as a religious teacher to ask the people you are complaining about the interest, which is haram in Islam. And isn't it a sin?"

“Yes, it is forbidden, but we wanted to.” One of the statements that left its mark on the hearing was that he replied as follows.

The allegations of the plaintiffs that the newspaper and its owners insulted and slandered with their own view were refuted in the court, although the news in question only reflected the Turkish Minority's reaction and opinion to the “Ierodidaskalos” law and those who were instrumental in it.

The outcome of the hearing, in which the lawyers of the defendant party revealed with the law, evidence and witnesses that the accusations are baseless and that the case is inadmissible on the procedural and substantive, will be announced in the coming days.