Turkey Christian Missionaries Horrifically Tortured Before Killings
The three Christians who were martyred in Turkey last week were horribly tortured for three hours prior to being killed, Christian Today has learned, as details continue to emerge.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2007, 12:05 (BST)
The three Christians who were martyred in Turkey last week were horribly tortured for three hours prior to being killed, Christian Today has learned, as details continue to emerge.
According to the Washington-DC based human rights group International Christian Concern, the three were put through a horrific ordeal which included multiple stabbings before finally being killed.
An ICC statement tells: "As difficult and sorrowful as it is to learn more, we believe that we must expose the truly hellish nature of this attack for what it is."
On Easter Sunday, five of the killers had been to a service that one of the victims, Pastor Necati, had arranged in the city of Malatya. The men were known to the believers as "seekers".
These young men, one of whom is the son of a mayor in the Province of Malatya, are part of a tarikat, or a group of "faithful believers" in Islam, ICC has learned.
"Tarikat membership is highly respected; it's like a fraternity membership," ICC has stated. "In fact, it is said that no one can get into public office without membership in a tarikat."
On the day of the killing, the young Muslim men had arranged to meet the Christians at 10 am to learn more about the Bible.
"They had gathered guns, breadknives, ropes and towels - they knew there would be a lot of blood - ready for their act," ICC said.
ICC described the horrific ordeal in excruciating detail, which will only moderately be described in this report.
"They arrived, and reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The young men tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman's hands and feet to chairs as they videoed their work on their cellphones. What followed in the next three hours is beyond belief," an ICC release has said.
ICC then continued to describe the nature of the torture, which included disembowelment, emasculation, and the slicing open of various orifices.
"Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur's stabs were too numerous to count. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated," ICC reports.
The ICC description goes on: "Meanwhile, another believer arrived at the office around 12.30pm. The door was locked from the inside, and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside.
"He called cell phones of his brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. 'We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there,' he said cryptically. As Ugur spoke he heard in the telephone's background weeping and a strange snarling sound.
"He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five minutes. He pounded on the door, 'Police, open up!' Initially the officer thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard another snarl and a gurgling moan."
ICC continued: "The police understood that sound as human suffering, prepared the clip in his gun and tried over and over again to burst through the door. One of the frightened assailants unlocked the door for the policeman, who entered to find a grisly scene."
The throats of Tilman, Necati and Ugur had been slit and although Ugur was still alive, he died soon after from his horrific injuries.
After Tillman's wife learned of the brutal death of her husband she publicly forgave the killers repeating the words of Jesus Christ, "They know not what they do."
Jeff King, ICC President, stated, "The contrast between the acts of the killers and the forgiveness of Tillman's wife is glaring and in the end seems to be at the centre of this story for us."
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Added: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 23:23 (BST)
You don't know what you said james bond. You just have no idea to feel if you living in country which moslem is majority. What I feel is better died than living....
ippenk, makassar , Indonesia
Added: Saturday, August 9, 2008, 15:32 (BST)
I am from Turkey and currently living in US. I must admit, Islam is the worst thing that ever happened to Turks. Unfortunately, for some reason, the Christian world (i.e. US and EU) are supporting current Islamic government. There is no such thing as moderate Islam. There is Islam and not Islam. It is as clear as black and white. There are those Turks who do not have strong beliefs. If these people are referred to as moderate muslims, Christians are mistaken. There is no moderate Islam. Rather than supporting Islamic governments, Christians must support Christian movements in Turkey. I am a born Muslim and now an agnostic. I hold a Ph.D. degree.
No Name, Nocity, USA
Added: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 2:17 (BST)
Yovonna, you're not helping matters - people like you only make things worst. If they want to kill us, wouldn't it make sense to bring our men from overseas back home? Your support of imperialism is exactly what these murderous muslim fanatics use to justify their anti-westernism and anti-christianity. You are not a friend in Jesus, you are one of "those who call themselves jews, and are not", as prophesied in the bible.
to Tang Min Ju: Your argument is somewhat twisted. Why should we not condemn murder? Condemnation is not hatred, nor does it equal retaliation. (by your logic, criminals should not go to jail). I do not blame all muslims for the actions of a few islamofascists, but to simply write it off as "god's will" is disgusting and perverse. What these murderers did is a sin, and god does not condone sin. It is the duty of a christian to speak out against injustice, whether it comes from within christianity or without.
Dear Tom,
Jim is a troll - it's not even worth acknowledging his stupid post.
James Bond, San Diego, CA
Added: Monday, December 17, 2007, 18:09 (GMT)
I think Jim's attitude is the kind that allowed Blacks to be lynched in America not too long ago.
The victims were Turkish citizens excercising their right of freedom of religion, guaranteed by law. They were holding church services which the attackers attended at their own accord, and the attackers personally asked to meet with the Christians. Jim, you may not like religion, but don't condone something as horrific as this.
But then again, in America you were free to date whoever you wanted. But according to Jim's logic, Black men who dated white women "deserved" to be hung because there were people who didn't agree with it - despite what the law said.
Tom, USA
Added: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 18:11 (GMT)
Anyone who proselytizes, deserve what they get!
Jim, USA
Added: Saturday, November 10, 2007, 23:04 (GMT)
WAKE UP AMERICA IF WE BRING OUR MEN HOME FROM OVER SEAS WE ARE NEXT THEY SAID THEY WILL KILL US AND THEY WILL. GET ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY PRAY PRAY THEY WANT WHAT WE HAVE AND THEY DONT WANT OUR LORD JESUS :( WAKE UP WAKE UP AMERICA your friend in JESUS yovonna
yovonna, usa
Added: Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 21:05 (BST)
I felt very heartsick when I read the article. I felt so very sorry for the deceased and their families. However, let not our outrage distract us from our main focus ... What can be a greater tragedy than the evil committed on these Christians by people who invoke God's Name? The participation of Christians in evil by allowing ourselves to hate Muslims or to be distracted from our goal. ... It would be an even greater tragedy if Christians get drawn into the devil's trap of condemning others, retaliation & bitterness towards certain groups of people... That would be the saddest tragedy of all.... Such times as these are opportunities to show love , build friendships with those that hate us, and show God's grace to our Muslim friends. Then they will wonder why we are like this and the possibility that our God is real after all, for what can motivate such genuine compassion towards those who persecute us. And this is how we win souls, through His unbelievable love & grace. Let's humble ourselves and pray... Though we may not see it, God is in control. He loves the tortured Christians, and He also loves those of His children who do not believe in him.... His heart bleeds at the darkness of some of these souls and He desires to draw them back to Himself for eternity. Let us pray....
Tan Ming Ju, Singapore
Added: Monday, April 30, 2007, 15:20 (BST)
I felt sickened to read of the torture and murder. My prayers are with the families of these 3 men and the church in Turkey. What does this horrific cruelty performed by a mob of young muslims have to do with the God who made heaven and earth and all humankind out of his love? It's madness and it's source can be traced back to the enemy of all our souls. I have written to my Mp, and my MEP's and want everyone to know about the suffering church in Turkey. These are our brothers and sisters. The Turkish Govt must condemn this action publicly and seriously punish the criminals. Why would anyone in Britain, Christian or not, want to go on holiday to Turkey ever again if the govt turns a blind eye to the treatment being handed out to christians and other minorities.
Frank McGregor, Stoke on Trent, UK
Added: Sunday, April 29, 2007, 15:52 (BST)
"You will know them by their fruits".
These are the true saints of the Living God and they are slaughtered for His names sake just as they have been for thousands of years. Christ himself said of the enemy "he was a murderer from the beginning". These extremist muslim men have served their father, the devil.
Aaron, Stillwater, USA
Added: Saturday, April 28, 2007, 17:55 (BST)
Unfortunately...Turkey is notorious of brainwashing their youth and populations with nationalistic agendas. You are dealing with a country that is uncomfortable with it's past but has no clue on how to deal with it. It basically said to itself and it's youth through education agendas by playing "we are the victims". Christians are the enemies, the Kurds, the Armenians, the Greeks.... It appears they have created a machine that has a lot of anger of it's own now. People are prosecuted for insulting Turkishness. Turkishness = Islam. If your not a muslim you an infiddel. Infidels are second class citizens. Active attempts to convert non-christians to Jesus is a crime. Speaking or criticizing the government is a crime. Speaking of the Armenian Genocide is a criminal offense. Armenians were systematically killed for their beliefs. Armenians were living in Eastern Turkey and were practically whipped out by the Otoman Turks. We are talking about 1.5 million Christian lives.
The mindset, agenda and future outlook is likely to repeat itself over and over since if you are not punished by the Courts of Turkey, you will be punished by the streets.
Turkey is for Turks. Turkey = Muslim. If your Christian and live in Turkey you are against Turkey. God forbid you try to be different in this country.
Hopefully, for the love of the people of Turkey, their policies will change but the looks of it is very grave.
Jeff, Seatle, WA
Added: Friday, April 27, 2007, 15:02 (BST)
When I first heard about this, I wondered that well it is not so bad although it was.
I will not shame the gospel, for it is power of God unto salvation.
I think it means that we must pray and say that God is our refuge and in the valley of death He is still with us through His Holy Spirit.
This breaks my heart. But it is only choice. We have to weep with those who mourn and dance with those who rejoice.
God is coming soon with His glory. Holy Spirit is wittnessing that to me many times.
Oh what a glorious reward they are now in realms of heaven. We glorify Your name Jesus. You will come back. Let this be a day when we prepare our hearts to testify to our friends with unashaming purity and love. It is our day to prepare for the coming of the king by praying for other and worshiping him.
Are we prepared to fulfill our calling like these two man did? I speak to myself as well. Well this was from the heart. Christ stands before us! If God is for us Who can be against us? None. And still those who are not against us, are for us. So much greater is the power of cross and blood of Jesus. Much higher is almighty God.
Alpo Voutilainen, Joensuu, Finland
Added: Friday, April 27, 2007, 13:45 (BST)
I've just heard from my mom about these killings. Only thing I could find on BBC was a video which I can't view at work. No written report. It disgusts me that this blatantly religious killing has not been condoned by the British government. It's all kept quiet because they (Turkey) want to join the EU.
Vincent, Scotland
Added: Friday, April 27, 2007, 7:36 (BST)
Im sorry this has happened! Why is this story not in the headlines in the USA? Why do we hide our heads and pretend that the world loves us when Jesus said the world would hate us! I wish all adult Christians could be made to read this. Christians die everyday somewhere!
May God be with us all, and give courage those who share the His word!
Press on! for who can stand against us when Christ stands before us!
Ronnie, USA
