ISTANBUL (Panorama.am) — Istanbul-Armenian Member of Parliament Garo Paylan, representing the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), has met with the Armenian boy forcibly converted to Islam on live TV, Ermenihaber reports.
The 13-year-old child, named Artur, was tricked into converting to Islam by famous Turkish theologian and TV personality Nihat Hatipoglu during his Ramadan program. The boy was also renamed to Nihat during the live show broadcast on 11 May.
Paylan posted a photo from the meeting on Facebook, writing: “I met Artur. He is quite well. I will always be there for him and will do my best to protect him from evil.”
Earlier, the lawmaker said he would file a complaint to the Prosecutor General’s Office over the case.
Speaking to Ermenihaber, the teen’s mother said he is baptized and attends Armenian church.