Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Turkish Artist Vows To Fight On For Armenia Statue

A prominent Turkish painter recovering from a stab wound on Tuesday pledged to continue to fight against the demolition of a controversial monument designed to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.

Bedri Baykam and his secretary were stabbed on Monday as they came away from a meeting in downtown Istanbul that was called to denounce the impending demolition. They both were hospitalized.

The Turkish police arrested a man suspected of carrying out the attack later in the day. Little is known yet about the suspect and his motives.

Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service from his hospital bed, Baykam said the statue located in the northeastern town of Kars must be preserved because it is a rare symbol of dialogue between the two estranged nations.

Armenian News

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