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Erkut had clashed with McLure a year earlier, when he ordered the Australian arrested along with a Turkish Christian for organizing a Christian book table at a local fair. Although the Australian was detained for two days, charges against him were dropped a week later. An English-language teacher from Sydney, McLure has lived in Turkey for the past 13 years.

"It seems that we are being subjected to persistent harassment, despite having done all we can to be open and legal about our activities," the American wrote in a letter about the case to U.S. Consulate officials in Istanbul.

Their defense lawyer agrees. "Mr. McLure had his freedom curtailed by the police because of actions that are not a crime under Turkish law," Tanman declared in a written statement after the May 24 arrest. "As a lawyer, I am very distressed to see the law ground under foot."

"In effect," McLure told Compass after the September hearing, "they have with these long legal delays denied us the use of our place of worship for nearly a full year." In addition, the authorities refuse to return the computer and boxes of Christian books and literature which were confiscated from the premises until the case has been resolved.

After making two representations to Turkish authorities about the case, the Australian government sent an officer from its Istanbul Consulate to observe the September court proceedings, also attended by a U.S. Consulate representative.

Australian Ambassador to Turkey Ian Forsyth made a third formal representation on the case to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on October 26. According to a letter from the Chief of Staff of Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer dated November 1, the Australian government remains "concerned about Mr. McLure's allegations of brutality and ongoing harassment."

Copyright © 2000 Compass Direct

Read Baker's story on McLure's previous run-in with the police chief.

Other Christianity Today stories on Turkey include:

Turkey Releases Jailed Christians After 30 Days | Witnesses admit gendarmarie pressured them to sign complaints (April 15, 2000)

Two Turkish Christians Jailed | Judge refuses bail during 'religious slander' investigation (March 13, 2000)

70 Christians Arrested While at Church (Nov. 15, 1999)

The U.S. State Department's Annual Report on Religious Freedom in Turkey gives more background on religious liberty in the country.

Recent media coverage of Turkey includes:

Turkish spy chief says he opposes hanging Kurdish rebel leader Ocalan—CNN (Nov. 28, 2000)

Turkish court acquits 15 torture victims of leftist propaganda—CNN (Nov. 28, 2000)

Turkey May Allow Kurdish Broadcasts—World News (Nov. 28, 2000)

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November (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44