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ISTANBUL: Properties In Ortakoy Returned To Armenian Association

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  • ISTANBUL: Properties In Ortakoy Returned To Armenian Association

    PROPERTIES IN ORTAKOY RETURNED TO ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION

    Today's Zaman
    March 30 2012
    Turkey

    An Armenian association has reclaimed two real properties belonging
    to the association after almost 50 years.

    The Ortakoy Surp Asdvadzadzin Church Association, an Armenian
    association, filed a lawsuit demanding to retake possession of two
    real properties that belonged to the association yet had been seized
    by the General Directorate of Foundations due to the 36 Declaration,
    a 1936 decision that led to the confiscation of properties from
    non-Muslim minorities. However, the association recently won a case
    enabling the association to reclaim the real properties.

    The president of the association, İskender Şahingoz, said the
    properties that have been regained are of utmost significance because
    the association has been planning to use them for its projects.

    Speaking to the Agos weekly, Şahingoz said: "These real properties
    are specifically important because one of them is on the same street
    with the Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church [in İstanbul's Ortakoy
    district]. The other one is two blocks away from the church. They
    are in strategic locations, yet we have not been able to use them
    until today. Now, we are planning to use them for our association's
    projects, which will benefit our society."

    Once the association's construction projects are approved by the
    İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, construction work on buildings,
    which will be used for the association's activities, will be launched
    on the two real properties, with one covering an area of 568 square
    meters and the other 412 square meters.

    Şahingoz said there are other immovable assets they want to regain.

    "Again in Ortakoy, there was an Armenian cemetery that was seized by
    the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] and then turned into a military base.

    We have documents that prove that land used by the TSK was once an
    Armenian cemetery," said the president and added that he will do
    everything necessary to reclaim the cemetery as well.

    There are thousands of pieces of real estate in Turkey whose rightful
    owners are religious minority associations.

    A new government edict, a decree that has the power of law, allows
    minorities to register confiscated property with land registry
    directorates within 12 months. In addition to buildings, other
    edifices, such as fountains or cemeteries, will be returned to
    religious foundations.

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