Treasure hunters in historically Armenian settlements in Turkey have damaged the 18th century Saint Toros Armenian Church located in Kayseri (Caesarea). As reported Armenpress news agency, Turkish-Armenian MP, member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party Garo Paylan sounded the alarm.
Paylan sent an inquiry to the parliament addressing the Turkish minister of culture and tourism over the two-meter hall that appeared inside the Church.
Paylan stated that the old Armenian Church, which is one of the key historical and cultural structures of that region, has become a target for vandals and treasure hunters.
In this context, he asked the minister why the Church is not protected and why there is no investigation against the persons who damaged it. He also asked why the government doesn’t respond to the actions of treasure hunters targeted against cultural heritage of Christians. In the letter, Paylan wrote that he is also interested whether the ministry is going to renovate the Church or not.
