Turkey protests over arson attack on diplomat’s vehicle in Thessaloniki

Unknown persons threw a molotov cocktail at the vehicle of a Turkish diplomat from the Consulate General of Turkey in the early hours of Monday morning, setting it on fire.

According to police reports, the attack occurred around 2:30am on Ioanni Vamvakari Street, in the upper city area of Thessaloniki. Two firefighting crews arrived at the site of the incident and contained the fire from spreading.

Police confirmed that the vehicle attacked belonged to a Consular staff member from the Consulate General of Turkey in Thessaloniki.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry immediately issued a statement condemning the attack saying they “strongly protest the arson attack on the private car of the staff member of our Consulate General in Thessaloniki” and their reaction to this incident “was demonstrated both before the Greek Ambassador in Ankara by our Ministry, as well as the Greek authorities in Athens through our Embassy, and necessary verbal and written demarches were delivered.”

The statement continued to note that “Unfortunately, similar incidents against Turkey’s diplomatic staff in Greece and their properties have been on the rise during the recent years. We expect the Greek authorities to prevent such offences, to take all necessary measures to protect our Missions and staff, and to ensure that the perpetrators of these acts are brought to justice and face the penalty they deserve.”