Büşra Nur Bilgiç
17 October 2019•Update: 18 October 2019
ANKARA
Turkey has expressed concern over an attempted attack on the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Greece by a group of terrorist YPG/PKK supporters.
In a statement on Thursday, Hami Aksoy, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said Turkey expects Greek authorities to prevent similar attempts and “ensure that the perpetrators face justice and receive the punishment they deserve.”
According to the statement, “On Thursday Greek anarchist groups, that are known to carry out terrorist activities within the PKK/PYD/ YPG terrorist organization, have attempted an act against the Ataturk House at the compound of the Consulate General of Turkey in Thessaloniki.”
Turkey also urged Greece to take necessary measures to protect its missions and their staff in the neighboring country.
The perpetrators of the attack were taken into custody by the Greek police, the statement noted.
The house museum and the Turkish consulate share the same grounds.
Attackers were assumed to have entered the compound disguised as visitors and carried banners reading "Solidarity with the rebel Rojava.”
The group, protesting Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria, also chanted slogans against Turkey.
According to Greek news agency ANA-MPA, police detained 12 people that staged the attack.
"The competent Greek authorities, which were mobilized from the first instant, have already detained suspects and are taking necessary steps to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice,” ANA-MPA reported citing the Greek Foreign Ministry.
