Türkiye calls for investigation into Solingen fire in Germany

Türkiye is calling for an investigation into the Solingen fire in Germany, which resulted in the deaths of four Bulgarian citizens of Turkish descent. The country emphasises the importance of bringing the suspects to justice.

In a fire that broke out in a 4-story building in the city of Solingen, Germany, on the night of March 25th, 4 members of the same family, including 2 children, lost their lives, while 9 others were injured.

German authorities announced yesterday in a statement that the possibility of arson in the incident was being considered.

Increasing attacks against Turkish community

German officials visited the Turkish Consulate General in Hannover on Thursday to demonstrate their solidarity after an attack on the diplomatic mission by the supporters of the PKK terror group.

Hannover’s Mayor Belit Onay condemned the attack and said the police informed him that additional security measures would be taken to prevent such incidents.

“When we watched the videos of the attack, we saw how violent it was. It is never acceptable for such a thing to happen in our city. We have absolutely no tolerance for such violence,” he said.

Hannover’s police chief Gwendolin von der Osten accompanied Onay during the visit and informed Turkish officials about the additional security measures put in place by the authorities.

Turkish Ambassador to Berlin Ahmet Basar Sen, who travelled to Hannover on Thursday, thanked Mayor Onay and his delegation for their visit and said Türkiye expects more determined action against the terror group.

“We want to see that the perpetrators of this attack will be identified and brought to justice,” he said, adding that they would continue their close cooperation with the German authorities on the matter.

“The bigger problem is that the PKK terror group, which has been banned in Germany for more than 30 years, still continues fundraising campaigns in the country, carries out propaganda activities causing radicalisation of young people,” Ambassador Sen told Anadolu after the meeting.

“What we expect from German authorities is that the fight against the PKK terror group should cover all areas. They should take actions against the structures of the terror group, its cover organisations here, which operate under the guise of civilian associations,” he said.

Tuesday’s attack

A group of PKK supporters attacked Türkiye’s Consulate General building on Tuesday evening following a pro-PKK demonstration in the city centre without any intervention from the police.

There were no injuries in the attack but the windows and main entrance door to the building were damaged.

The PKK, classified as an "ethno-nationalist" terror organisation by the EU's law enforcement agency, Europol, has been banned in Germany since 1993.

But it remains active with nearly 14,500 followers among the immigrant population, according to the German domestic intelligence agency, BfV.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people.