Friday, May 10, 2013

Turkey Uncovers a Plot to Kill Orthodox Patriarch; Nabs Man Planning to Kill Patriarch Bartholomew

Turkey is investigating an alleged plot to assassinate Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew -- spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians -- and has stepped up security around the patriarchate in Istanbul, the Charisma News website reports today (May 10, 2013).

Spokesman Dositheos Anagnostopoulos said the patriarch had not received any direct threats but had learned of the alleged plot from Turkish media, which was later confirmed to the patriarchate by Turkish police.

"Later in the day, police informed the patriarchate of a possible threat and dispatched additional police officers," Anagnostopoulos said.

Turkish broadcaster NTV said one man had been arrested in relation to the plot, after state prosecutors in central Kayseri province received an anonymous letter saying there was a plan to assassinate Bartholomew on May 29 -- the anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of present-day Istanbul. It added that police were still searching for two men in relation to the plot.

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