Ankara is asking for explanations from Athens why the "removal of an Ottoman cemetery in the area of Halkidiki, without due attention", is proceeding according to an announcement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the announcement: "A new school complex in the village of Simantra in Halkidiki is being built on an Ottoman cemetery, with 201 graves."
Dışişleri Bakanlığından Yunanistan'ın Halkidiki ilinde bulunan Osmanlı Mezarlığıyla ilgili açıklama https://t.co/HaPI7tqZEa pic.twitter.com/ytBl62KZta
— Anadolu Ajansı (@anadoluajansi) February 24, 2021
The Turkish Foreign Ministry reacted after a provocative article in the Sözcü newspaper, according to which: "Greece looted Ottoman Tombs" in Halkidiki.
According to the announcement, the Turkish consul in Thessaloniki visited Simantra, where he was informed about the works carried out in the area and the fate of the bones of the old cemetery.
Afterwards, the Greek ambassador to Ankara, Michael-Christos Diamesis, was summoned for explanations, while there will be a reaction to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Turkish ambassador to Athens, Burak Özügergin.
Ankara demands that the construction works in the specific area be stopped, that the bones collected be reburied according to the Muslim standard and that a plaque be placed informing that the site was an Ottoman cemetery.
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