Holodomor commemoration event attacked in Greece: Ukraine demands investigation
Holodomor commemoration event attacked in Greece (photo: Getty Images)
In Greece, unknown persons attacked an event in memory of the Holodomor victims. Ukraine demands an investigation, states the Embassy of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community in Greece said that a large group of unidentified individuals with communist symbols aggressively disrupted their Holodomor commemoration event.
The incident took place in the town of Mandra, where Ukrainians had come from other settlements to the monument of Taras Shevchenko to hold commemorative events.
“On Saturday, during a peaceful event dedicated to the Holodomor Remembrance Day in Ukraine, a group of aggressive individuals under communist flags and slogans attacked Ukrainians, many of whom were women and children of Ukrainian schools and associations,” said Ihor Posolenyk, the priest of the Ukrainian Church Community of St. Nicholas of the UGCC in Greece.
According to him, the attackers blocked access to the monument and resorted to aggressive actions.
Ukraine's reaction
The Embassy protested the aggressive actions and provocations against the participants of the Ukrainian community, noting that the attackers were members of the Communist Party of Greece.
“The Embassy condemns in the strongest terms the shameful disruption of a commemorative event that has deep historical and emotional significance for the Ukrainian people. This provocation, which culminated in physical attacks - including an attack on a Ukrainian diplomat who was injured - is completely unacceptable and constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms protecting diplomatic personnel,” the statement said.
Moreover, the Embassy called on Greece to ensure a proper investigation into the incident.
“It is important to protect the right of individuals and communities to commemorate historical tragedies without fear of intimidation or violence... We believe that the relevant Greek authorities will do everything necessary to respond to this serious incident and prevent similar provocations in the future,” the embassy emphasized.
The Holodomor in Ukraine
Ukrainians survived three large-scale Holodomors in the twentieth century. Every year on the fourth Saturday of November, Ukraine commemorates the victims of these tragedies.
Read about the true purpose of the Holodomors in Ukraine and the consequences for our people in the RBC-Ukraine article.
American President Joe Biden made a statement on the anniversary of the Holodomor.
