Anti-Assad activists storm Syrian embassies in Europe

Assassination of Kurdish leader Meshaal al-Tammo by Syrian forces prompts protests in Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna and Geneva.

Meshaal al Tammo 311 (photo credit: Reuters)
Meshaal al Tammo 311
(photo credit: Reuters)
BERLIN – The murder of Syrian-Kurdish leader Mishaal al-Tammo prompted opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad to storm embassies and consulates across Europe on Saturday and in the early hours on Sunday.
Roughly 24 protesters ripped down a fence in Berlin’s Tiergarten district and entered the Syrian Embassy. The Syrian ambassador, who lives in the building, contacted the police.
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According to media reports, the activists peacefully left the embassy and there were no arrests. Some furniture and paintings were damaged. The protesters spray-painted “Free Syria” on a wall outside of the embassy. Approximately 30 anti-Syrian government protesters rallied in front of Syria’s consulate in Hamburg.
Four demonstrators entered the consulate building and were arrested by the police.
A group of 20 Syrian citizens stormed the Syrian embassy in Vienna. The police arrested 11 male protesters from the mixed group of women and men activists. The embassy’s door was damaged.
According to a report in the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung, four Kurdish- Syrians gained access to Syria’s UN mission in Geneva. A total of 40 Kurdish- Syrians staged a protest in front of Geneva mission.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al- Muallem criticized the attacks on Syrian embassies in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Speaking from Damascus, he said the countries must adhere to diplomatic covenants. Muallem added that if the countries fail to honor diplomatic agreements, Syria’s government will reciprocate in the same manner.
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