Treasure-hunting adventurers have damaged the 18th-century Armenian Church of Saint Toros in Kayseri, located in one of Turkey’s historic Armenian settlements.
This was reported by Garo Paylan, the Armenian member of Turkey’s parliament.
Regarding the fact that a two-meter-deep pit has appeared inside the church, Paylan sent a parliamentary question addressed to Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
In the question, Paylan noted that the old Armenian church, although one of the historically and culturally important structures of that region, has been left to the whims of fate as a result of decades of neglect, and today has become the target of attacks by barbarians and treasure hunters.
In this context, Paylan asked the minister why the church is not placed under protection, and why an investigation is not being launched against those who damage it. The deputy also inquired why the government remains silent in the face of the actions of adventurer treasure hunters against the cultural heritage belonging to Christians, and why they are not protected. Paylan, who represents the pro-Kurdish party, also asked whether the ministry intends to restore the Armenian Church of Saint Toros in Kayseri.
