DHAKA: Turkish protesters have attacked the Thai consulate in Istanbul following the deportation from Thailand of about 100 Uighurs to China.

Thai officials said that protesters stormed the compound late on Wednesday night. No injuries were reported.

Rights groups have criticized such deportations, saying Uighurs face persecution in China.

Turkey has seen growing anger at Chinese discrimination against Uighurs, who are ethnically Turkic Muslims.

But China has said it respects the freedom of Muslim beliefs.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Turkey said on Facebook (in Thai) that a group of protesters had broken into the Istanbul consulate around midnight on Wednesday, damaging the office door and destroying property inside.

It advised Thais in Turkey to not to show the national symbol or flag in public, to avoid protest venues and to ‘refrain from mentioning or arguing with the Turkish’ on the issue of Uighurs.

Turkish media reported that the consulate’s windows had been smashed by protesters wielding sticks, following reports the Uighurs had been deported, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1939 HRS, JULY 09, 2015
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