The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its horror and concern over the explosion of the monument dedicated to Thymios Liolis in Kranë in Finiq.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which strongly condemns the action, also recalls the its firm position that “provocations against the Greek ethnic minority and, ultimately, against Greek-Albanian relations should be immediately investigated and resolved, with those responsible brought to justice.” It is also stressed that the Foreign Ministry hopes that “Albanian authorities will take the appropriate steps, as soon as possible, to restore the sense of security of the Greek ethnic minority.”
Finally, it is noted that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Embassy, as well as our consular authorities in Albania, will be following developments closely.”
The monument was severely damaged and the strong explosion blew the windows out of nearby buildings. The perpetrators wrote the word “Chameria” with a red paint on the concrete base of the monument. It is the second time that the same monument becomes the target of attacks. The first incident took place in December 2018.
Thymios Lolis, also known as the “Captain of Vourkos,” participated in the Greek Struggle for Macedonia and fought until the Second World War. He was considered the protector of the Greeks in the area of Vourkos, a region between Sarande and Gjirokastra.
Source: ANA-MPA
