An Armenian Church was burnt and the Armenians were kidnapped near Aleppo

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, ARMENPRESS. 10 men from Aleppo were kidnapped in a city of Sarakeb near Aleppo. The Spokesman of the Armenian National Prelacy of Aleppo Jirayr Reisyan informed "Armenpress" about this and added that 7 of them are Armenians, the other three – Christian Arabs. The opposition is responsible for their kidnapping. In accordance with unofficial information the kidnappers declared that they will free the kidnapped people only when 150 rebels are set free. No other detail is known about this accident at the present moment.

According to Reisyan there was information on October 29, that the Armenian Church of St. Gevorg had been burnt. The back of the church, the room of secretary and other rooms were in fire. The fire destroyed the icons and the benches of the church. The newly opened Mesropian College was seriously damaged. The college was a parish school and had a kinder-garden. There are heavy fights near St. Gevorg Church in New Village. In the present situation it’s impossible to reconstruct it. Only after the situation is stabilized reconstruction works can be undertaken, as the building of the college preserved. Reisyan underlined that the Armenian National Prelacy of Aleppo strictly condemns such inhuman actions towards the sanctuary.

Clashes in Syria lasting for already 18 months caused the death of more than 30 thousand people, including more than four dozens Armenians.