Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board strongly condemns attack on minority school

The Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board has strongly condemned the attack on the Minority Primary School in the village of Karacaoğlan, which is administratively part of the Kozlukebir Municipality.

The school, which was closed during the 2021–2022 academic year, was vandalized by unidentified individuals, sparking widespread outrage in the region.

In a written statement, the Advisory Board stressed that the school’s closure cannot in any way justify the attack, describing the incident as a clear act of vandalism. “Even if it has been closed, an attack on an educational institution is vandalism,” the statement said.

Advisory Board, the damage was discovered by local residents by chance on Sunday, January 4, after which the authorities were immediately notified. Police units arriving at the scene carried out an initial investigation. The Committee expressed hope that the ongoing inquiry would yield concrete results.

The statement also drew attention to a recent increase in attacks targeting closed minority schools. In this context, it recalled a fire of unknown origin that broke out on May 17, 2025, at the Aşağıköy Minority Primary School in the Şapçı–Maronya Municipality. The lack of tangible outcomes from the investigation into that incident was described as deeply concerning.

Warning that impunity encourages further attacks, the Consultative Committee emphasized the urgent need for the perpetrators to be identified, brought before justice, and held accountable. The statement concluded by underlining that minority schools rightfully belong to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and should be returned to the minority community.

In its official condemnation, the Advisory Board stated:

“The Minority Primary School in the village of Karacaoğlan, affiliated with the Kozlukebir Municipality and unjustly closed during the 2021–2022 academic year, has been entered and vandalized by unidentified individuals. Even if closed, an attack on an educational institution is vandalism. As the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board, we strongly condemn this act.

On Sunday, January 4, the incident was discovered by villagers by chance, after which the authorities were informed. Police carried out examinations at the scene. We hope these investigations will lead to results.

We also hope that these disgraceful attacks on closed minority schools will finally come to an end. As is known, a fire of unknown cause broke out on May 17, 2025, at the Aşağıköy Minority Primary School in the Şapçı–Maronya Municipality. The lack of any outcome from the investigation to date is alarming. This situation emboldens perpetrators and paves the way for new attacks.

In order to ensure that such acts do not go unpunished, it is essential that the incident be clarified, the perpetrators be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice, and duly punished. Furthermore, it is clear that minority schools should be returned to their rightful owners—the minority community itself.”