A Turkish employee was critically injured in a shooting at the Swedish honorary consulate in Izmir in western Turkey on Tuesday.
The attack comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between Sweden and Turkey following a Quran-burning incident in Stockholm, Sweden, on the previous day.
The local governor’s office reported that the attack was carried out by an individual described as “mentally disabled”. The assailant, a Turkish citizen registered in the eastern province of Ağrı (Agirî), did not manage to enter the consulate, and has since been apprehended. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The injured woman, who is reportedly in a critical condition, has been identified as a secretary at the consulate. The attack took place outside the premises, according to local media reports.
In response to the attack, the Swedish foreign ministry announced that the Swedish consul-general will travel to Izmir on Wednesday to gather more information about the incident. The consulate-general is maintaining contact with the honorary consulate in Izmir and local authorities.
This shooting incident follows a Quran-burning incident outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm on Monday, 31 July. Two men, identified as Salwan Momika and Sakwan Najem, set alight a copy of the Quran during a protest. The duo reportedly stamped on the holy book, set its pages on fire, and then slammed it shut.
Honorary consulates represent the interests of their nationals abroad but are not run by professional or career diplomats.
The Swedish government has previously condemned such acts, labelling them as “Islamophobic”, but its relations with Islamic countries are becoming increasingly strained.
