Western Thrace Fenerbahce Association to not give up its name
In the statement made by the association, "Fenerbahçe Fans Sports-Cultural Association will not give up the name it has preferred as of its official establishment. This is a democratic right and will continue to be utilised."
The statement emphasised that the closure decision of the Rodopi Civil Court of First Instance contains legal flaws and violates many rights protected by international law, and stated that the decision will be appealed.
Western Thrace Fenerbahce Sports and Culture Association started its activities in October 2022 after all permissions were granted by the relevant court in Komotini.
In June 2023, the first closure case against the association was concluded in favour of the association after the prosecutor withdrew his application.
In the indictment she prepared in March last year, Komotini Prosecutor Maria Kapetanyanni rejected the Turkish identity of the minority and referred to the Muslim minority. Kapetanyanni had claimed that the name of the association was against the law on the grounds that it could "create an implication of the Turkish minority" and demanded the closure of the association.
Former President of the Supreme Court and former Prime Minister Vasiliki Thanu had also called for the closure of the association, claiming that it "posed a threat to public security". Thanu, who argued that the expression "Western Thrace" in the name of the association was used only by Türkiye, called on the Greek courts to review the decision.
On 28 May 2024, the Civil Court of First Instance in Komotini issued a closure order against the association on the grounds that the expression "Western Thrace" in its name could create an implication of the Turkish minority.
