Investigation launched in assault case involving imam

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Arif Ekiz. DHA Photo

Turkey's Religious Affair Directorate has opened a detailed investigation on the heels of the news that  a 74-year-old man was allegedly beaten up by an imam in  the southern province of Muğla, Anatolian news agency reported today.

An administrative investigation of the imam has been launched, and an inspector has reportedly be sent to the scene of the incident to obtain further information.

The 28 year-old imam allegedly responded violently when Arif Ekiz told him not bring politics into the mosque, after the imam praised a political party during Friday prayers.

Ekiz claimed that his wife rescued him from the angry imam, while fellow worshippers attending prayers at the mosque also tried to calm the imam down. Ekiz was hospitalized overnight after receiving several blows to his face. The imam allegedly attacked him with a garden rake, striking him in the legs and hip.