Ankara “will respond strongly” to the dissolution of a Turkish ultranationalist group in France

Following the dissolution by France of the Turkish ultranationalist organization of the Gray Wolves, Turkey warned Wednesday that it was going to “respond firmly” to what it describes as “provocation”. “We stress that it is necessary to protect the freedom of expression and assembly of Turks in France (…) and that we will respond in the strongest possible way to this decision,” said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement. communicated.

Earlier today, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced on Twitter the dissolution of the ultra-nationalist Turkish group. “The movement of the Gray Wolves was dissolved in the Council of Ministers, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic”, he tweeted, stressing in his decree that this small group “incites discrimination and hatred and is involved in violent actions ”.

Incidents with the Armenian community

The small group of Gray Wolves has been singled out in particular after incidents that opposed Turkish and Armenian communities last week in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon. On Wednesday evening, security forces intervened in this city, a high place of the Armenian diaspora, to prevent 250 members of the Turkish community – finally fined for non-compliance with the curfew – to “do battle” with the Armenians.