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,