Turkish chief calls on Cypriot authorities to safe homes of worship or put together to ‘pay for such acts’.
Assaults on Muslim homes of worship on Cyprus will “not go unanswered”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated following an arson incident at a mosque.
“Sadly there was an [attempt] towards our mosques in southern Cyprus. In fact, this operation in southern Cyprus won’t go unanswered,” Erdogan advised reporters on Monday earlier than departing for Qatar on a two-day go to.
Turkey’s Each day Sabah newspaper reported a minimum of one suspect was detained following a December 2 try and burn the Grand Mosque within the metropolis of Larnaca. Nobody was harm within the incident.
“That is what we’re telling southern Cyprus: don’t perform such acts of sabotage towards our homes of worship. The value you’ll have to pay for such acts of sabotage will likely be heavy,” Erdogan stated.
Cyprus break up in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of a union with Greece. Turkey is the one nation to recognise a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state within the north of the island and doesn’t recognise Cyprus as a state.
Turkey’s overseas ministry on Sunday stated the incident “doesn’t solely goal Muslims, but in addition threatens the frequent values of humanity, and divulges how sure circles are removed from the understanding of peaceable coexistence”.
Ersin Tatar, chief of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic additionally denounced the assault and known as on the Greek Cypriot administration to forestall any future makes an attempt.
A Cypriot legislation enforcement official stated authorities arrested a 27-year-old Syrian man in reference to the assault, which triggered some harm to the mosque’s picket door earlier than hearth crews put it out. He faces a cost of tried arson.
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not authorised to debate the case publicly, stated the suspect’s motives are believed to stem from having his request to remain in a single day on the mosque rejected by the imam.
A witness advised police the suspect used Greek-language newspapers as kindling to gentle the fireplace.