Türkiye urges Sweden to take steps against terrorists 'without further delay': Official

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Ankara strongly condemns the supporters of the PKK/YPG terror group in Sweden that continued their provocations against Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's communications director said on Thursday.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the targeting of Türkiye and its democratically elected president by members of the terrorist organization PKK in Sweden. We urge the Swedish authorities to take necessary steps against terrorist groups without further delay," Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

Altun's remarks came after terror supporters gathered in front of the historical City Hall in the capital Stockholm, hung a puppet -- likened to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- by the feet on a pole in front of the building and shared video footage of the moment on social media.

Footage posted later on a social media account affiliated with the terror group showed that threats targeting Türkiye and Erdogan were made with Turkish subtitles.

"Sweden needs to keep the promises, which it made in Madrid, to join NATO – of which Türkiye has been a member for 70 years. It would be futile to expect Türkiye to make any concessions in that regard.

"That PKK terrorist can challenge the Swedish government at the heart of Stockholm is proof that the Swedish authorities have not taken necessary steps against terrorism – as they have been claiming in recent days," Altun said.