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May 15, 2006
Turkey: Trial Of "Cartoon Jihad" Priest-Killer Starts
We reported on April 12 that a 16 year old high-school youth was indicted on charges of murder and intentionally jeopardizing public security. The youth was accused of killing 60-year old Roman Catholic priest Father Andrea Santoro. The priest was shot on Sunday 5 February at his church in Trabazon, Turkey, on the Black Sea Coast. The shooting happened at the height of the "cartoon jihad" when Muslims were globally threatening and enacting violence related to the Danish cartoons of the so-called "prophet" Mohammed.
Today, according to AKI, the youth, known only by his initials O.A. went on trial in Trabzon. Because of his age, media are barred from following the court proceedings. AKI states:
Two possible motives for the killing have been mentioned by Turkish officials; a murder commissioned by local crime groups irritated at Santoro's efforts to help women caught up in prostitution, or some link with the wave of protests in Muslim countries regarding the cartoons, first published in Denmark, but later in several newspapers in Europe, including Italy.It has also been suggested that the case may have been influenced by the temporary release and then return to prison of Ali Agca who tried to kill Pope John Paul II in 1981.
Prosecutors want a life sentence for O.A., but if he pleads guilty, his sentence would be lighter, due to his being a minor.
There was a religious component to the killing, as eyewitnesses stated that the killer of Father Santoro shouted "Allahu Akbar" or "God is Great" before firing two bullets into the priest's back as he kneeled to pray in his church, the Santa Maria.
O.A. was arrested three days after the killing, after he was identified by eye-witnesses. O.A. was found hiding at a relative's home, along with a .9mm handgun, which is believed to have been used in the killing.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 15, 2006 7:23 AM
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