Full Breakdown
Greek Court Convicts Four Turkish Minority Protesters Over Cinar Mosque Incident
6/23/2026, 1:01:44 AM
Convictions Over Cinar Mosque Protest
The Xanthi Court sentenced four members of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace—Huseyin Baltaci, Ozan Ahmetoglu, Bahri Belco and Murat Kose—to 17 months in prison each for two charges linked to a protest at Cinar Mosque in Xanthi. The sentences were suspended and replaced by monetary fines. The protest followed the opening ceremony of the Xanthi Madrasa on 11 October 2024, when state-appointed muftis attempted to lead Friday prayers but were barred by congregants.
Background: Mufti Appointment Dispute
The incident is part of a long-standing dispute over the appointment of muftis in Western Thrace. Muftis, as state-appointed religious officials, are tasked with leading Friday prayers, a role that the local congregation contested. The Turkish minority has repeatedly challenged the Greek state’s practice of assigning religious officials, arguing that it limits their religious freedom. The dispute has persisted for decades, with periodic protests and legal challenges.
Key Actors
- Defendants: Huseyin Baltaci, Ozan Ahmetoglu, Bahri Belco, Murat Kose – members of the Turkish-minority congregation at Cinar Mosque.
- State-appointed muftis: Unnamed officials designated by the Greek government to lead Friday prayers; their identities were not disclosed in the sources.
- Xanthi Court: The judicial body that issued the convictions.
- Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (FWTTE): The diaspora organization representing the Turkish minority, which issued a public response.
Timeline of Events
- 11 October 2024: Opening ceremony of the Xanthi Madrasa; state-appointed muftis attempt to enter Cinar Mosque for Friday prayers and are blocked by congregants.
- 2024 (date not disclosed): Xanthi Court delivers convictions and imposes suspended sentences with financial penalties on the four protesters.
Legal Outcomes
Official Statement from Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe
The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe issued a statement condemning the convictions and describing the court’s decision as undemocratic.
Criticism & Opposition
The condemnation signals broader criticism that the legal action undermines the community’s right to self-determine religious leadership. By labeling the ruling undemocratic, the Federation opposes state interference in the internal affairs of the minority’s places of worship.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources do not specify the exact date of the court’s ruling nor the amount of the financial penalties imposed. No statements from the Greek government or the state-appointed muftis are included.
Broader Implications for Minority Rights
The convictions illustrate the delicate balance between state authority over religious institutions and the recognized rights of ethnic minorities in Greece. The case shows how disputes over mufti appointments can lead to legal confrontations, affecting perceptions of religious-freedom protections for the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
