Couple Hürmüz and Şimoni Diril who used to live in Kovankaya (Mehrê) village in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak were kidnapped on 8 January 2020. 70 days later, Şimoni Diril’s corpse was found on the side of Hezil Creek. However, although 500 days have passed over, Hürmüz Diril has still been unaccounted for.

Şırnak Bar Associaton met with relatives of Diril couple and released a statement.

The statement included the following:

“In 2014, Diril couple turned back to their village and built a house through their own means. They insisted on living in their village despite pressures. Hürmüz and Şmioni Diril were unaccounted for after they had left their home on 11 January 2020. Their son Remzi Diril who is the priest of 1500-year church of Kovankaya (Mehrê) village appealed to the official authorities. Yet, the investigation launched by Beytüşşebap Public Prosecution office could not attain any tangible information on the issue.

Hürmüz Diril has still been unaccounted for although 500 days passed over. Although the village closest to Kovankaya is 25 km far away and access to this village requires permission of Boğazören Gendarmerie Command, the 1500-year church in the village was devastated by unidentified persons. When we contacted Remzi Diril, son of Hürmüz and Şimoni Diril, he informed that all of his appeals had remained inconclusive and that he was concerned for security of his life. Therefore, he stated that he waits for the conclusion of the investigation and may be forced to abandon their ancient homeland.”

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