The Muslim Cultural Association “The Brotherhood” on Rhodes issued a statement yesterday denouncing the spying incident connected to the Turkish Consulate on the island which implicated two Greek Muslims from Thrace.
In its statement “The Brotherhood” condemned Turkish attempts to exploit the small local Greek Muslim population of 3,500 people to serve Turkey’s national and political purposes.
The espionage case has captivated Greek public opinion following the arrested of two Muslim Greeks who were charged with spying on behalf of Turkey.
A secretary of the Turkish consulate on the island of Rhodes and a ferry chef were arrested on December 12 for spying on the Greek military.
A secretary of the Turkish consulate on the island of Rhodes and a ferry chef were arrested on December 12 for spying on the Greek military.
The Rhodes association denounced the spying and condemned Turkish attempts to exploit the small local Greek Muslim population of 3,500 people to serve Turkey's national and political purposes.
The members of the association state that "nationalist reports" on their backs are not acceptable, emphasizing that: "Anyone who does not honor being a Greek citizen is not worthy to bear Greek citizenship."
The announcement, according to Ethnos, was signed by President Behize Sellavtzi-Zamantaki, is as follows:
"In recent days, information about a spy case allegedly committed by Greek nationals, originating from the prefecture of Rodopi, has come to light.
"We have absolutely no disposition or competence to express an opinion on the case file.
"Greek justice is the only one competent to decide who is innocent and who is guilty.
"However, on the occasion of this case, once again some people from the Greek side are fighting against the just and the unjust.
"At the same time, some experts from the Turkish side took the opportunity to seize the presence and action of our association and 'took advantage' of us to serve their national and political goals which in no way express us.
"In all tones and with absolute clarity we declare the following:
"Our Association exists legally and operates legally according to the rules of the Greek state.
"Our members are exclusively GREEK citizens.
"The cohesive element of their club members is the Muslim religion and nothing else.
"Our contacts with Turkey are contacts that are exhausted in matters of common religious faith and cultural traditions.
"Nothing more, nothing less.
"If one wants to look for 'hidden' purposes in the action of our association and members, one will find nothing but our desire to promote good neighborly relations between the two peoples.
"Anything different that someone else says about us is sly and does not express us.
"We are Greek citizens, we respect and honor our country and its laws.
"Political games and nationalist references on our backs are not acceptable, no matter where they come from.
"Anyone who does not honor the status of Greek citizen is not worthy to bear Greek citizenship.
"And we are proud as Rhodites and as Greeks".
