Six graves and a fountain at the Surp Garabet Armenian Cemetery in Üsküdar, Istanbul, were damaged after an unidentified individual entered the cemetery during the night of July 8, the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey has announced.
According to a statement issued by the Patriarchate, the individual climbed over the cemetery wall before vandalizing six graves and a fountain in what it described as “an incident that deeply saddened our community.”
The Üsküdar Surp Garabet Church Foundation Board immediately reported the attack to law enforcement authorities, who launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
“The Patriarchal Seat strongly condemns this heinous attack against the sacred values and eternal resting places of our community,” the statement said, expressing hope that the suspect would be brought to justice.
The Patriarchate also thanked security officials for their prompt response and for continuing their investigation “with great care and sensitivity” to clarify the circumstances of the attack.
The incident has caused deep distress among members of the Armenian community, particularly families whose loved ones are buried at the historic cemetery, the Patriarchate noted.
The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey said it is closely monitoring developments in the case and expressed confidence that the investigation will lead to the identification and prosecution of the attacker.
