We condemn the arrest of Sebahattin Bayram, the Secretary at the Turkish Consulate General in Rhodes, as part of an investigation carried out by the Greek authorities on allegations of espionage regarding taking photographs of vessels.

In the process leading to the arrest of our staff, who is a Greek citizen, Greece has violated the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations as well as the right to freedom and security, and the right to respect for private and family life in the European Convention on Human Rights.

We are also alarmed by the publications of the Greek media regarding the incident, as they violate the presumption of innocence, and target our staff and his family, as well as our missions in Greece and their employees.

The necessary demarches were made to the Greek authorities about the investigation which is believed to be constructed by certain circles willing to increase tensions in relations with Turkey. We will take steps towards protecting the rights of our staff.