Ankara strongly condemns destruction of tombstones at Muslim cemetery in Rodopi


Sept 04,2023. Posted by  Balkan Periscope - Hellas

 

Türkiye strongly condemned destruction of tombstones in a Turkish cemetery in the Greek city Rodopi, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

“We have taken note of the statement made by the Greek Secretary General at the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs on this heinous incident, stating that an investigation has been initiated.

”We expect the Greek authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice as soon as possible, to ensure that they receive the punishment they deserve and to clarify the reasons behind the incident," Tanju Bilgiç said in a statement.

His remarks came after tombstones in the cemetery of the muslim minority in Polyantho Rhodopis were damaged by unidentified people over the weekend.

"We convey our condolences to our kinsmen living in Polyantho and share their sorrow.

"The fact that even the cemeteries of Muslims are being targeted as part of the increasing Islamophobia across Europe demonstrates the importance and urgency of the struggle to defend our common human values," he said.

Türkiye calls on Greece to take the necessary measures in this direction, to prevent similar acts in the future, and to ensure the peace and security of the Muslim minority of Western Thrace, Bilgic added.

The rights of Muslims of Greek territory are guaranteed under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. But over the decades, the situation has seriously deteriorated, with Greece refusing to carry out rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.

Türkiye has long criticized Greece for depriving the Muslim minority of their basic rights and freedoms.

aHaber, Anadolu Agency,