Monument to Asia Minor Greeks vandalized in Thessaloniki

Police in Thessaloniki are investigating the vandalism of a monument to the Greeks of Pontus and Asia Minor in which a metal sculpture attached to it was removed and stolen.

The Monument of Pontic and Asia Minor Hellenism, which comprises a six-meter inclined column, topped by seven illuminated birds, was erected in the Municipality of Neapoli-Sykies in 2023.

"With the aim of either stealing metal or insulting the memory of the Asia Minor and Pontian refugees, unknown persons sabotaged the monument, after previously taking care to put the lighting system out of action," the municipality said.

The municipality has already filed a lawsuit, while police are seeking footage from security cameras of nearby shops in an effort to identify the perpetrators.