Two Turkish Christians from a Muslim-background, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, and German citizen, Tilman Geske, were tortured to death on April 18 last year in the office of a Christian publishing company in the city of Malatya.

At the 12-hour hearing Monday, April 14, lawyers acting for the families of the victims learned that their request to have the bench of three judges replaced was rejected by a higher court, said advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which closely monitors the case.

"The lawyers had previously lodged the request declaring that the "impartiality and independence" of the court was in jeopardy. The court also heard from three of the defendants.

MURDERS ORCHESTRATED

One of the lawyers for the victims' families, Tahir Elçi, reportedly told Turkish news agency Bianet that although these men had confessed, "no one was able to find those who orchestrated the murders." Elçi believes that opportunities for a deeper inquiry have been blocked by authorities. "This view is shared by other lawyers and the Alliance of Turkish Protestant Churches," added CSW in a statement to BosNewsLife.

CSW National Director, Stuart Windsor said his group his concerned "that the court is still reluctant to pursue the darker connections behind those standing trial," amid mounting concerns about a growing number of attacks against Turkey's tiny Christian community. "During the first part of 2008, reports of attacks on church properties and Christian clergymen in Turkey have increased significantly," Windsor added.

"If the court does not seek to address the larger problem, it will send out a negative and dangerous message to nationalists who have targeted Christians that their actions will go unpunished."

The trial is due to resume May 12.