The patriarch is accused of violating the Lausanne Treaty and engaging in CIA activities.
The patriarch is accused of violating the Lausanne Treaty and engaging in CIA activities.
Lawyers who are members of the Vatan Party have filed a criminal complaint against Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew for acting in violation of the law by using the title “Ecumenical Patriarch” in his official activities.
In the petition submitted to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it was stated that Bartholomew had committed offenses such as “unlawfully assuming a public office”, “insulting the Republic of Türkiye and its institutions and organs”, “attempting to undermine the unity and integrity of the state and the country”, and “violating the Constitution”.
After filing the complaint, the lawyers held a press statement.
Ozan Bayrak, Secretary of the Vatan Party’s Legal Affairs Committee, said: “By using the title ‘Ecumenical Patriarch’ in both national and international platforms, Bartholomew is violating the sovereign rights of the Republic of Türkiye and engaging in statements and activities that go against the constitutional order.”
Disregarding the Lausanne Treaty
Emphasizing that they repudiate Bartholomew’s claims to ecumenical status, Bayrak addressed the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office with the following remarks:
“The Fener Greek Patriarchate is a religious institution that serves the Greek Orthodox community in Istanbul, Bozcaada, and Gökçeada, as clearly defined by the Lausanne Treaty. Any actions or statements by the Patriarch beyond this scope and his claim to ‘ecumenical’ have no historical or legal basis. The Patriarch is disregarding the Lausanne Treaty and openly committing a crime.”
“In a 2007 ruling concerning the Fener Greek Patriarchate, the Court of Cassation also determined that the Patriarchate’s use of the title ‘ecumenical’ has no legal validity, that it violates Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, and that the Patriarchate holds no universal authority. Yet despite all this, Bartholomew continues to present himself as ‘ecumenical’. This title is still used in news issued by the Patriarchate and in both domestic and international events in which he participates.”
“In 2023, Patriarch Bartholomew visited Greece and Estonia with the title of ‘Ecumenical Patriarch’, where he was received with military honors and held meetings with government officials while using the so-called ‘flag’ of the Fener Greek Patriarchate, as if he were a head of state.”
Establishment of Ukrainian Patriarchate
“In 2019, he ‘authorized’ the establishment of a Ukrainian Patriarchate to split the Russian Orthodox Church, appointed bishops to various Orthodox churches around the world. Patriarch Bartholomew carried out these acts under the title of ‘ecumenical’ positioning himself as a spiritual leader worldwide.”
“Patriarch Bartholomew has persistently engaged in actions that claim religious or political leadership over Orthodox communities abroad, which directly threatens the sovereignty and unitary structure of the Republic of Türkiye.”
“Involved in CIA operations”
“Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew has not only acted against Türkiye and Russia but has done so at the instruction and with the funding of the US State Department, taking part in CIA operations. This fact makes clearer why he uses of the ‘ecumenical’ title in defiance of Turkish law and international agreements, portrays Türkiye as an occupier in Cyprus and Gökçeada, and accuses Turks of committing massacres. We do not want a Patriarchate involved in CIA operations!”
“As lawyers from the Vatan Party, we have officially requested that an investigation be launched, and a public case be filed against the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Dimitrios Bartholomew under the Turkish Penal Code, due to his violations of the Republic of Türkiye’s sovereign rights and his statements and actions against the constitutional order. We will be following the process closely.”