Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally reached out to a 17-year-old student of Turkish descent who was attacked by pro-Kurdish demonstrators during a school trip in Brussels. The president expressed concern for the student’s well-being and wished him a speedy recovery.
The teenager was visiting the European Parliament with his school when he and another student of Turkish origin were assaulted during a lunch break in the city center where a pro-Kurdish demonstration was taking place. The attackers targeted the two boys after learning they were Turkish, resulting in injuries to the 17-year-old student.
President Erdogan condemned the violent attack, calling the perpetrators “immoral and despicable villains.” He assured the boy and his family that Turkish authorities and the embassy were closely monitoring the situation and promised to provide any necessary support.
The victim’s father shared that his son is still in shock from the incident and has sustained injuries to his eyes and ears. He appreciated the president’s phone call and expressed hope for his son’s swift recovery. The attack heightened tensions between the Turkish and Kurdish communities in Belgium, following recent clashes between PKK supporters and individuals of Turkish descent.
In response to the incident, violence erupted in Heusden-Zolder and Brussels as tensions escalated between the two groups. The brawl required police intervention to restore order. President Erdogan’s call to the victim and denouncement of the attack underscored the need for peace and tolerance among diverse communities in Belgium.
