Turkish Court Delivers Shock Verdict: Armenian Archbishop Jailed Over Alleged Coup Plot

In a decision that has sent ripples through religious and diplomatic circles, Armenian Archbishop Sevak Baljyan was handed a two-year and one-month prison sentence by a Turkish court. The grave charge against him? 'Membership of an armed terrorist organization,' a label Turkish authorities reserve for the Fethullah Gulen movement, which they adamantly blame for orchestrating a failed coup attempt in 2016.

The Istanbul court's ruling, delivered after a period of intense scrutiny, found the Archbishop culpable of belonging to the clandestine network.

However, in a nuanced yet critical distinction, the court acquitted him of the more severe charges of 'establishing or directing' the alleged organization. Despite this, the verdict of 'membership' stands, casting a long shadow over the cleric's future.

Archbishop Baljyan, a prominent figure based in Jerusalem with the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate, has vehemently denied all accusations.

He has consistently maintained that he harbors no ties whatsoever to Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric whom Turkey accuses of leading FETO (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization). His legal team, led by lawyer Cem Halavurt, asserts that the judgment is not only unlawful but also potentially influenced by external pressures, hinting at a broader crackdown.

The Archbishop's ordeal began when he was arrested upon his arrival in Turkey, subsequently facing judicial proceedings that culminated in this contentious sentence.

While he has been released pending his appeal, a travel ban has been imposed, effectively confining him within Turkey's borders. This restriction prevents him from returning to his ecclesiastical duties in Jerusalem and underscores the seriousness with which Turkish authorities are pursuing individuals they suspect of Gulenist affiliations.

This case is not an isolated incident but rather unfolds against the backdrop of a massive government crackdown initiated in the aftermath of the 2016 coup attempt.

Turkish authorities have arrested and jailed tens of thousands of individuals, alongside dismissing over 130,000 public employees, all under the umbrella of alleged links to the Gulen movement. Human rights organizations and international observers have frequently expressed concerns over the breadth and fairness of these purges, citing a potential erosion of due process and civil liberties.

Archbishop Baljyan's sentencing adds another layer of complexity to Turkey's domestic political landscape and its relations with international religious bodies.

As his appeal process commences, the world watches closely, scrutinizing not just the fate of a spiritual leader, but also the state of justice and religious freedom within Turkey.