Ethnic and religious minorities in Turkey are in danger – expert on Turkish studies

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Director of the Oriental Institute of the NAS of Armenia, expert on Turkish studies Ruben Safrastyan says it is obvious that the ethnic and religious minorities in Turkey are in danger, reports “Armenpress”.

He stated these days majority of the society went out to the streets in Turkey, among which there are also many extremists.

“Alevi people are especially in danger. There had already been cases when a crowd has entered the Alevi apartments, districts. In other words, a process is taking place in Turkey which existed during the history of Turkey starting from the Armenian massacres”, Ruben Safrastyan said.

Safrastyan said Armenians are also in danger in Turkey. And the danger exists for not only the Armenians of Turkey, but also for our compatriots who came to Turkey for work. It is possible that certain actions may also be conducted towards them.

As for the Turkish foreign policy towards the regional states, Ruben Safrastyan said now the situation is such in Turkey that the country’s leadership has no time and wish to think about it.

“When the situation becomes calm, but the consequences will still remain, I think that the Turkish foreign policy towards the South Caucasus will not have significant changes. It is obvious that Syria is of key importance for Turkey”, he said.

Nearly 290 people were killed in the failed military coup in Turkey on July 15. According to official data, the number of wounded reaches to 1440.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said the “cleansing” continues in the country, nearly 6000 people are arrested. It is expected that the number will gradually increase.

The Turkish leadershipbelieves Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the founderofthe Hizmet movement, is behind the failed military coup attempt.