Turks living in Europe sue Greek lawmaker for ‘unacceptable’ attack on Turkish flag

Turks living in Europe will file charges against Greek lawmaker Ioannis Lagos who ripped up a Turkish flag in an act that shocked and bewildered deputies during a session of the European Parliament.

Led by the Union of International Democrats (UID), Turks living in Europe responded to the call of Turkey’s Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for action, and immediately sought to bring the lawmaker to account for his actions.

“We will file a criminal complaint against the racist lawmaker due to his outrageous attack, insulting the Turkish flag and nation, and also his aggressive attitude and segregation against the Turks living in Europe,” said Mustafa Yıldız, vice president of the Union of International Democrats (UID).

“Many Turks in Brussels and Vienna individually filed criminal complaints against the racist lawmaker. As the UID, our agencies will also file a criminal complaint in other regions this week,” he added.

He urged Europe to take the necessary measures against such racist and hateful acts, saying, “How can a Greek lawmaker tear our sacred flag in the European Parliament, the flag that honors us.”

Belgian UID President Basir Hamarat also urged punitive measures and said: “As an umbrella organisation, we will file a criminal complaint on behalf of the 230 Turks living in Belgium,” he said.

“This is a provocation aimed at reducing the value of the Turkish government in Europe. We will bring him to account. The ripping of our holy, precious Turkish flag is our nation’s red line. This is unacceptable,” he added.

During an EP debate on Jan 29, Greek lawmaker Ioannis Lagos blamed Turkey for the "stream of migrants coming into" his country and "getting away with whatever it likes.”

He then tore a Turkish flag made of paper into pieces and balled up the scraps, throwing them to the floor.

Lagos is one of the most prominent figures of the far-right racist Golden Dawn party.

In 2019 he was found guilty of attacking an Athens community center which was hosting asylum-seekers.

Lagos’ actions have been condemned by Turkey's foreign minister and the ruling party as well as the Greek Foreign Ministry.