German Michal Geske is a graduate student at the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara. She is completing a master's degree in philosophy and is due to submit her thesis on AI and ethics at the end of August.
Michal had a student visa and applied for long-term residence in April 2024, with her application being rejected in May 2025. When she tried to renew her existing student visa in June, she was informed that her residence permit had been vetoed. She was told she had 10 days to leave the country and no explanation was given. According to the Danish European Mission's partner Middle East Concern.
Orhan Kemal Cengiz, a human rights lawyer, has filed a lawsuit with the Ankara Administrative Court requesting a stay and annulment. Michal will try to stay in the country while the trial is ongoing and complete his thesis.
Michal moved with her family to Turkey when she was three years old. She is the daughter of Tilmann Geske, who was martyred together with Christian converts Necati Aydın and Uğur Yüksel at Zirve Publishing House in Malatya in 2007.
Read more about Tilmann Geske here: Michal is the daughter of the martyr Tilman Geske: "I feel sorry for my father's executioners"
Thank you if you want to pray too:
- That the reason for the authorities' veto against Michal's residence permit must be clarified
- That Michal may be allowed to stay and complete his master's degree without further obstacles
- That Turkish authorities must stop expelling foreign Christians who have made Turkey their home and made personal sacrifices to serve the Lord in this country.
