Citizenship

Armenian-American Lawyer Embraces Turkish Citizenship, Honoring Ottoman Ancestral Ties

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Gaziantep, Turkey – Glen Frederic Matheson, an Armenian-American attorney with historical family ties to the Ottoman Empire, has recently acquired Turkish citizenship and adopted the name “Murat.” During a significant period in Ottoman history, Matheson’s great-grandfather, Mihran Mesropyan, distinguished himself as an officer and chief palace architect, leaving a legacy that has profoundly impacted his descendant’s sense of identity. Ali Sahin, a member of the Justice and Development Party from Gaziantep, facilitated Matheson’s transition to Turkish citizenship. Sahin shared details of Matheson’s deep-rooted connection with Turkey, stemming from his great-grandfather’s prominent roles in the Ottoman … Read more

Armenian-American Lawyer Embraces Heritage with Turkish Citizenship: A Tale of Reconnection and Ancestral Pride

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ANKARA, Türkiye — Glen Frederic Matheson, an Armenian-American attorney with deep ancestral ties to the Ottoman Empire, has recently been granted Turkish citizenship, adopting the name “Murat” as a nod to his heritage. His lineage traces back to his great-grandfather, Mihran Mesropyan, an esteemed officer and chief architect in the empire. The process of acquiring Turkish citizenship, which was completed last month, was backed by Ali Sahin, a deputy from Türkiye’s Justice and Development (AK) party. Sahin, who also chairs the Turkish Delegation of the Latin America and Caribbean Parliament, was instrumental in facilitating Matheson’s … Read more

Arizona GOP Rallies for Federal Backing to Reinstate Citizenship Voting Law After Appeals Court Setback

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Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Republicans are preparing to escalate their legal battle over a state law that mandates proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections, amid hopes for backing from the Trump administration following a recent court setback. This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit maintained earlier district court findings, branding the 2022 Arizona statute as an unlawful voter suppression tactic. The law had been challenged by the Department of Justice, various nonprofits, the Democratic National Committee, and the Arizona Democratic Party. The Supreme Court, however, in a ruling last … Read more

Swiss Court Denies Citizenship to Algerian Human Rights Lawyer Citing Diplomatic Concerns

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Geneva, Switzerland – Algerian lawyer and human rights advocate Rachid Mesli’s bid for Swiss citizenship has been denied. This decision was upheld by the Swiss Federal Administrative Court, affirming the earlier verdict from the State Secretariat for Migration. The ruling, detailed late last week, underscores concerns about external security and ongoing tense relationships between Switzerland and Algeria. Mesli, who relocated to Switzerland in 2000 with his spouse, is renowned for his legal defense of Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) affiliates during Algeria’s tumultuous 1990s. His advocacy led to a three-year imprisonment sentence in 1997, accused of … Read more