Nearly a month after being beaten for distributing Christian literature on October 23 in Orhangazi in northwestern Turkey (see https://www.vomcanada.com/tr-2003-11-05.htm), Yakup Cindilli remains in a coma as a result of his injuries. On November 18, a court ordered one of the three accused of beating him and Tufan Orhan to be released, following intense public pressure. Metin Yildiran, president of the local chapter of the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) was released as around one thousand supporters cheered. According to a November 21 report from Compass Direct, the court refused to release the other two men until a report on Cindilli's condition was submitted. Yilidiran admits to being present during the incident but they claim that Cindilli had slipped and fallen while they were arguing. The next hearing will be on December 17.
A doctor treating Cindilli reports "tiny, daily improvement" in his condition, saying that, despite being unconscious, he uttered a word or two for the first time last week.
Pray for continued improvement for Cindilli and that there will be no permanent damage. Pray for justice and that the courts will not be swayed by public pressure. Pray for continued opportunities for Christians to share the Gospel of Christ in Turkey.
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