TERRORISM / INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
GR Min.: "Greece would not accept terrorists in its territory" - expresses condolences
Greece does not allow terrorists in its territory, Hellenic Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Monday, after a Turkish minister said the suspect of a bomb blast in Istanbul on Sunday would have fled to Greece if she had not been arrested.
People lay flowers at the area of a deadly explosion the previous day on Istiklal Street. (© EPA)
Greece does not allow terrorists in its territory, Hellenic Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Monday, after a Turkish minister said the suspect of a bomb blast in Istanbul on Sunday would have fled to Greece if she had not been arrested.
“Greece guards its borders very well and no one can enter the country illegally, therefore Greece would never accept terrorists on its territory,” he told Skai TV on Monday. “Greece against any act of terrorism, wherever it occurs and against whomever it is directed, as a matter of principle,” he added.
Turkish authorities detained a Syrian woman whom they claimed has links to Kurdish militants and that she confessed to planting the bomb that exploded on Istanbul’s Istiklal avenue.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the suspect would have fled to neighboring Greece if she had not been detained.
6 Turkish citizens, 2 members each of 3 families, were killed in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility. [AP]
Greece’s leadership expressed shock at the terrorist attack in Istanbul on Sunday that killed six people and wounded several dozen others.
“Shocked by the tragic loss of so many lives due to the terrible explosion in Istanbul, I express, on behalf of the Greek people and personally, my deepest condolences to the families who are grieving and wish speedy recovery to those who are injured,” Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said in a tweet. “Our thoughts are with them,” she added.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wished “a speedy recovery to the wounded” and offered his condolences “to the families of the victims, to President Erdogan and to the Turkish people.”
“Greece unequivocally condemns all forms of terrorism,” he added.
The Greek Foreign Ministry in an announcement on Sunday about the explosion conveyed “its sincere condolences to the Turkish government and to the Turkish people,” and condemned terrorism.
The ministry also said that, so far, there was no information of Greek nationals being among the victims.
