Violent deaths in Malatya grab world attention
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 20, 2007 12:38
International focus has turned to Malatya, the scene two days ago of a violent murder, where three men who worked at the Zirve Publishing House printing and distributing Bibles were killed in a knife attack by 5 assailants. Two of the men, Ugur Yuksel amd Necati Aydin, were born Muslim, but later changed their religions to Christianity.
Despite this, funeral ceremonies yesterday in Yuksel's native city of Elazig were carried out according to Muslim traditions. Aydin's wife, Semsa Aydin, who is also Christian, told the press yesterday that she "forgave the killers" for what they had done, and that she was "proud of her husband" for the way he died. It is not clear how Aydin will be buried, although his older brother, Melik Aydin, has said that if the body is given to the Aydin family, they will bury it according to Muslim traditions.
Meanwhile, the wife of a third victim in the killings, German native Tilmann Geske, told reporters yesterday that she also forgave the killers for their deeds, and that she wished to bury her husband in Malatya despite the incident which ended his life. Said Suzanna Geske: "I am deeply sorrowed by this awful event, but my husband is with God. I am serene." Geske, who speaks Turkish and has lived with her husband and children in Malatya since 2003, said "I want to bury my husband in Malatya. Officials from the German Embassy are coming here. After they come and we talk, I will make my decision. I really love Malatya, and would like to stay here." Tilmann Geske leaves behind 3 young children.
Meanwhile, the wife of a third victim in the killings, German native Tilmann Geske, told reporters yesterday that she also forgave the killers for their deeds, and that she wished to bury her husband in Malatya despite the incident which ended his life. Said Suzanna Geske: "I am deeply sorrowed by this awful event, but my husband is with God. I am serene." Geske, who speaks Turkish and has lived with her husband and children in Malatya since 2003, said "I want to bury my husband in Malatya. Officials from the German Embassy are coming here. After they come and we talk, I will make my decision. I really love Malatya, and would like to stay here." Tilmann Geske leaves behind 3 young children.