Erdogan: Tolerating swastikas means German authorities are fascists

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses German authorities of fascism because they tolerate swastikas being drawn on mosques in the country.

During a ceremony held in Istanbul in Sunday, Erdogan slammed German authorities for not taking action against neo-Nazi groups, who have started to paint swastikas on mosques throughout the country.

He also noted that German authorities have been indifferent towards the NSU (Nationalist Socialist Underground) case in which the group was accused of murdering eight Turkish nationals and a Greek citizen in a bombing attack in a Turkish neighborhood and a series of robberies between 2000 and 2006.

Erdogan also censured the German government for banning the defense contractor Rheinmetall from selling some of its products to Turkey.    

He noted that Berlin refrains from selling arms to its NATO ally Turkey, but sells arms to terrorist groups. "They call Turkey's president a 'dictator', but when we call them fascist with good reason, the German authorities get offended."

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Turkey summons Swiss ambassador

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned Switzerland's ambassador in Ankara over a demonstration held in Bern, which it claims was organized by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey, the EU, and the US regard a terrorist organization.

On Saturday, thousands of people took part in a protest in the Swiss capital, calling for a ‘No” vote in Turkey’s upcoming April 16 constitutional reform referendum.

Turkey is set hold a referendum on the constitutional amendments, including giving executive powers to the president, currently a ceremonial post, and abolishing the office of the prime minister.

Swiss Ambassador Walter Haffner was informed that Ankara expects Switzerland to bring the people responsible for the demonstration to justice and to take measures to stop such protests being held in the future.

Following the Saturday protest, Turkey summoned the Swiss charge d'affaires as Haffner was not present.

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In his Sunday speech, Erdogan also slammed EU countries for backing a ‘No’ vote in the referendum.

"Switzerland took it a step further. Their leftist parties and the terrorists ... have come together and carried out a march. In the Swiss parliament, they hang my picture with a gun to my head. The Swiss parliament remains silent in the face of this," the Turkish president said.

Swiss prosecutors announced later on Monday that they were investigating whether the protest sign calling for Erdogan's killing violated laws against inciting violence. People demonstrating in Bern on Saturday against plans to extend Erdogan's powers held up a sign reading "Kill Erdogan with his own weapons" and pictured a pistol aimed at his head.

Turkey accuses several EU nations of permitting ‘No’ supporters to campaign in their countries, but blocking rallies organized by ‘Yes’ supporters.

Germany and the Netherlands have banned several of such rallies, citing security grounds.

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