Turkish police shell, plunder Armenian church of Diyarbakir

PanARMENIAN.Net - During Turkey’s recent clashes with PKK, Armenian cultural heritage sites were also targeted by local law enforcers.

After Turkish authorities declared martial law, Armenian Catholic church was damaged in Diyarbakir’s Sur district. Having opened fire on the church walls, the Turkish police officers stole some objects of historical and cultural value. According to preliminary estimates, the damage amounts to about $100.000.

Head of the Union of Armenians of Mesopotamia, Arat Karagyozian said Armenians intend to file an appeal to judicial bodies.

“The police entered the church, breaking down the old door. They stole six paintings of historical value and rocks with ancient carvings from the warehouse," Karagyozian said.

Saint Giragos historic Armenian church was also damaged: the building’s glasses were broken and bullet marks were found on the church signboard.

PKK has been launching attacks with rocket-propelled grenades and rifles in the Silvan district of Diyarbakir province, killing and wounding a number of people.

Hundreds of militants and more than 100 police and soldiers have died since a ceasefire collapsed in July, shattering a peace process launched in 2012. It is the worst violence Turkey has seen in two decades.

President Tayyip Erdogan has promised the fight will go on until "not one terrorist is left". The conflict has flared up as Turkey prepares for a snap parliamentary election on Nov. 1 after a June vote was inconclusive.