Ankara Condemns Bulgarian 'Racist' Attack on Muslims

Nationalist Ataka leader, Volen Siderov, in altercation with police during the brawl. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Turkey is strongly condemning the racist attack on people praying in a mosque in Bulgaria, the Turkish Foreign Ministry states in a press release.

The press release, cited by the Bulgarian news agency BGNES on Saturday, points out nearly 700 000 ethnic Turks live in Bulgaria and appeals to Bulgarian authorities to swiftly punish those responsible for the attack.

Ankara further says the attack is a violation of one of the basic human rights.

The statement comes on the heels of headline news in Bulgaria, reporting on violence in the capital Sofia when supporters of the far-right, nationalist Ataka (Attack) party started a brawl in downtown Sofia, assaulting Muslims during their Friday prayer in Sofia's Banya Bashi mosque.

The press release states the brawl is a demonstration of the nationalist, racist and anti-Turkish policies of Ataka, stressing Bulgaria must undertake immediate measures to protect basic human rights and values, according to international legal rules in order to prevent such incidents in the future.

Ankara notes the attack has happened in a country which is a member of the European Union.

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