One year in prison is the sentence meted out to the nine Constantinople Jews who were arrested in 1927 on a charge of being participants in a demonstration at the funeral of Elsa Niego, the Jewish girl who was murdered by Osman Bey, a Turkish official. The sentence has caused astonishment and disappointment among the Jewish community here but the case will be brought to the highest Turkish court on appeal.
The nine Jews were acquitted on their first trial September 21, 1927 of the charge of seditious conduct at the funeral of the Jewish girl whose death called forth wide indignation. The affair gave rise to anti-Semitic attacks in the Turkish press, which resented the fact that the family of the murdered girl protested against the crime committed by a Turkish official.
At their second trial which opened January 12 the arrested Jews were accused of having insulted the Turkish Republic.
The murder arose from the attentions that Osman Bey forced on Miss Niego. He tried to kidnap her and when his plan was foiled he was arrested. When released from prison he shadowed her and meeting her on the street stabbed her to death. Only the prompt arrival of police prevented Bey from being lynched by an infuriated crowd.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
