Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun confirmed today, Tuesday, that Turkey is closely monitoring incitement against Syrian refugees and provocations causing tension, following acts of sabotage against properties belonging to Syrian nationals in the central Turkish province of Kayseri.
Altun stated in a statement published on “Eks”: “We closely monitor incitement against Syrian refugees and provocations causing tension… Efforts to disrupt public order in Turkey through provocative acts will not achieve their goals.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced today, Monday, the arrest of 67 individuals involved in acts of sabotage against properties belonging to Syrian citizens in Kayseri, central Turkey, following rumors about the rape of a Syrian refugee by another Syrian child.
Yerlikaya said in a statement: “Turkish security forces have arrested 67 people who participated in acts of sabotage against properties belonging to Syrian refugees in Kayseri last night, following the alleged rape of a Syrian refugee child.”
Yerlikaya clarified that “Turkish citizens apprehended the Syrian refugee who raped the child last night in the Melikgazi district of Kayseri province and handed him over to the authorities.”
He also noted that an investigation into the incident has been initiated.
He continued: “Turkish citizens in the area gathered to express their reaction against the rape committed by the Syrian refugee against the child, and acted unlawfully by vandalizing properties belonging to Syrians.”
The Turkish Interior Minister affirmed that Turkey cannot tolerate hostility towards foreigners.
Commenting on the sabotage of Syrian properties in Kayseri, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that “acts of vandalism and setting fires in the streets are unacceptable.”
Erdogan said during a meeting with municipal leaders: “No goal can be achieved by fueling hatred towards foreigners and refugees in society.”
He added that “the poisoned rhetoric of the Turkish opposition is the reason behind the events incited by small groups in Kayseri, and resorting to a policy of hatred to gain political advantage is futile.”
Meanwhile, neighborhood head Othmanli Bey Allah Urgun in Kayseri told Sputnik Agency that “Turkish citizens burned houses, shops, and cars belonging to Syrian refugees in several neighborhoods in the Melikgazi district of the province following the rape of a 4-year-old Syrian child.”
He pointed out that “security authorities were alerted following the outbreak of sabotage incidents in the neighborhoods inhabited by Syrians, and necessary security measures were taken in those areas.”
On the other hand, Governor of Kayseri Province, Gokmen Cicek, announced that 5 security personnel were injured while confronting acts of sabotage in the province.
Turkish media reported that 14 security personnel and one firefighter were injured during acts of sabotage against Syrian properties.
The Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services announced in a statement that “the child who was subjected to rape and her family are under state protection.”
