Trial of Karacaoğlan Trustee Board President and Supporters Postponed
The trial of Karacaoğlan Village Trustee Board President Mehmet Ahmet and four individuals accused of laying paving stones in the mosque courtyard without permission was held today at the Komotini Courthouse.
The Rodopi First Instance Criminal Court postponed the case to December 16, 2025, upon the joint decision of the prosecutor and judge, citing the need to complete missing evidence.
Many prominent figures and community representatives attended the hearing to show support for the accused, including:
- Çiğdem Asafoğlu (Leader of the DEB Party)
- Özgür Ferhat (Rodopi MP)
- Erdem Hüseyin (Mayor of Kozlukebir)
- Caner İmam (Mayor of Yassıköy)
- Hüseyin Baltacı (President of the Western Thrace Minority Graduates Association)
- Ozan Ahmetoğlu (President of the Xanthi Turkish Union)
- Sedat Hasan (President of the Komotini Turkish Youth Union)
- Aydın Ahmet (President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Union)
- Mehmet Duban (President of the Minority Schools Board of Trustees)
- Tarkan Multaza (Opposition Leader of Kozlukebir Municipality)
- Pervin Hayrullah (Director of BAKEŞ)
- Erol Yoluç (President of the Western Thrace Mosques Religious Officials Association)
- Residents of Karacaoğlan Village and representatives of various minority institutions.
Background of the Case
The controversy began when Mehmet Ahmet and four others were detained by police officers from Sirkeli Police Station for allegedly installing paving stones in the mosque courtyard without proper authorization. Following orders from the prosecutor, they were held overnight in detention at the Rodopi Police Department.
On February 14, 2025, the five individuals were handcuffed and taken to Komotini Courthouse, where they provided statements to the prosecutor. They were released on the condition of appearing in court on February 24, 2025.
Now, with the trial postponed, the legal process continues as the minority community closely follows developments.
