Türkiye summons Swedish envoy over 'terror propaganda'

The Foreign Ministry on Jan. 12 summoned Sweden's ambassador in Ankara to lodge a protest over a demonstration in Stockholm where the supporters of the PKK hung a puppet that depicted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from its legs.

The ministry expressed Ankara's frustration about the terrorist propaganda, which targeted Erdoğan and Türkiye, diplomatic sources said.

Sources said the ambassador was informed that Türkiye strongly condemns and protests the "heinous act."
Turkish officials also said the act was contrary to an agreement that Türkiye has reached with Sweden and Finland under which the two promised to crack down on terrorists as they seek Turkish approval for their NATO membership bids.

Ankara conveyed its expectation that the perpetrators of the incident will be identified, necessary actions will be taken, and Sweden will fulfill its commitments.

Meanwhile, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop canceled his Swedish counterpart Andreas Norlen's visit to Türkiye in response to the incident in Stockholm.

"Swedish Parliament Speaker Norlen's official visit to Türkiye on Jan. 17 was cancelled by Speaker of Parliament Şentop upon the terrorist act by the terrorist organization PKK/YPG targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Türkiye in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden," the parliament said in a statement.

The supporters of the PKK gathered in front of the historical City Hall in the capital Stockholm on Jan. 11 and hung a puppet likened to Erdoğan by the feet and shared video footage of the moment on social media affiliated with the group.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström condemned the act.

"The government is committed to an open debate on political choices but strongly rejects threats...