It was learned with concern that on, 31 May 2000, Mehmet Emin Aga, the elected
Mufti of Xanthi, e was sentenced once again to 7 months imprisonment by the Court of Lamia on charges of usurping the title of "Mufti" in a number of  religious messages he issued in 1996 and 1998. A delegation of Human Rights Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, headed by Dr. Sema Pişkinsüt, was there to monitor the trial of four different cases brought before the court against Mufti Mehmet Emin Aga.

By sentencing the elected Mufti of Xanthi, who had been sentenced many times in the past on similar charges, Court of Lamia has re-violated the rights of the  Turkish Minority in Western Thrace, stemming from the bilateral and international agreements to which Greece is a signatory.

Turkey, in line with the capacity entrusted to her by relevant bilateral and international agreements, is determined to continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.

We re-call on the relevant Greek authorities to bring their practice towards the elected Mufti of Xanthi into line with the international obligations of Greece and respect the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.