Samsun Agape Church in Turkey Attacked

SAMSUN (Agos) — An attack was carried out on the Samsun Agape Church by a man wielding a stick, who reportedly went on to insult church staff. However, the police did not bring charges against the attacker.

According to a SAT7 news report, on Saturday night, a man wielding a stick turned up at the Agape Church, rang the door bell, and then went on to insult church staff, also saying ‘You are making our children violate our religion’. When a staff member realized the individual was carrying a stick, the police was notified.

A police patrol that arrived at the scene did take the stick off the man, however they did not detain him. According to witness accounts, the attacker continued to wander around the church building for a while, and then tried to re-enter the church.

Speaking to SAT7, Samsun Agape Church Pastor Orhan Piçaklar said they had not filed a criminal complaint: “We are used to this kind of thing here, but what saddens me is the fact that the police did not detain the attacker, take him to the station and take a statement, tasks they are obliged to fulfill according to the Law of Misdemeanors. They could have at least taken him away from the Church and left him 500 meters away.”