Thessaloniki, Greece (November 22, 2024) – A monument honoring Greeks from Pontus and Asia Minor has been vandalszed in Thessaloniki, prompting a police investigation. A metal sculpture forming part of the monument was removed and stolen, leaving the community dismayed.
The Monument of Pontic and Asia Minor Hellenism, located in the Neapoli-Sykies municipality, was erected in 2023. It features a distinctive six-meter inclined column crowned with seven illuminated birds.
The municipality released a statement expressing outrage at the incident: "Whether motivated by the theft of metal or a deliberate insult to the memory of Asia Minor and Pontian refugees, unknown individuals sabotaged the monument after first taking care to disable its lighting system."
The deliberate deactivation of the lights suggests a premeditated act, raising concerns about the vandals' motives. Local authorities have filed a lawsuit against the unknown perpetrators. Police are currently examining footage from security cameras in neighboring businesses, hoping to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. The incident has sparked concern and sadness among the local community and those with heritage from the Asia Minor and Pontic regions.