Police in Thessaloniki has detained 12 people who staged a protest against Turkey’s invasion in Syria inside the courtyard of the Turkish General Consulate on Thursday morning.
Pretending to be normal visitors of the Ataturk Museum that is located in the courtyard, members of a local organization affiliated with Rouvikonas anarchists entered the premises short after 11 o’ clock in the morning.
They opened banners and chanted slogans in favor of Kurdish fighters in Syria.
In a post on social media, they said that they protested in solidarity with Rojava.
Both the Greek and the Turkish foreign ministries condemned the attack.
In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry described the protest actions as “unacceptable and Irresponsible.”
“We unequivocally condemn the illegal entry of members of an anti-establishment group into the courtyard of the Turkish Consulate General in Thessaloniki, where the Ataturk House is located.
This was an unacceptable and irresponsible act.
The competent Greek authorities, who reacted immediately, have already detained suspects and are taking necessary action to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
On its part, the Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed that Rouvikonas anarchists “carry out terrorist activities within the PKK/PYD/YPG.”
“Today (17 October) at around 11:00 a.m. Greek anarchist groups, that are known to carry out terrorist activities within the PKK/PYD/ YPG terrorist organization, have attempted an act against the Atatürk House at the compound of the Consulate General of Turkey in Thessaloniki.
The perpetrators were taken under control by the officers of the Consulate General in the courtyard of the Atatürk House and taken out by the Greek Police in custody, before having an opportunity to harm the members of the Consulate General or the Atatürk House, which carries a great sentimental value for the Turkish Nation.”
The Ministry urged Greek authorities to “prevent such and similar attempts at their source, to take meticulous measures to protect our missions and their staff, and in any case, ensure that the perpetrators face justice and receive the punishment they deserve.”
According to latest media information in the afternoon,the detentions were turned into arrests.
