Turkey: bishop's accused killer shouted Islamic phrase

June 07, 2010

The man charged with killing Bishop Luigi Padovese reportedly shouted "Allah Akbar!" after repeating stabbing the prelate, and boasted of having killed "the great Satan."

Police and Church officials have said that the killing was not motivated by religious reasons. But reports from neighbors who heard the bishop's cries for help and the killer's shouts of triumph cast some doubt on those reassurances.

The accused murderer, Murat Altun, who had been Bishop Padovese's driver, has been described by police as emotionally unbalanced. But no evidence or history of emotional disturbance has been made public.

A lawyer for Altun has reportedly given another reason for the killing, saying that the bishop was a homosexual and the young man was warding off an advance.

 

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Further information:

• Funeral of Mgr. Padovese. Murderer, "I killed the great Satan!" (AsiaNews)