Consulates of Germany and Sweden closed in Istanbul for security reasons
Germany and Sweden announced the closure of consulates in Istanbul on Wednesday for security reasons
The German consulate in Istanbul stopped its work on Wednesday because of security threats, the diplomatic mission said.
Earlier, the British and Dutch consulates general in Istanbul said they had stopped receiving visitors because of the threat of terrorist attacks in the city center.
“The FRG consulate will be closed on Feb. 1. All visa and passport issues have been suspended,” the GC said.
In addition, the Swedish Consulate General stopped receiving visitors.
The Dutch Embassy is located on the pedestrian street Istiklal in central Beyoglu, where in November 2022 a terrorist attack took place, the consulates of Germany and the UK are located near Istiklal.
The U.S. Embassy warned its citizens on Monday of the danger of terrorist attacks in central Istanbul, targets could include churches, synagogues, diplomatic missions in Istanbul or other locations popular with foreigners, especially the Istanbul neighborhoods of Beyoğlu, Galata, Taksim, and Istiklal Street.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy also warned of a possible terrorist attack in the aftermath of the burning of copies of the Koran by far-right activists in Europe. The French Embassy then issued a similar warning, citing information from the U.S. Embassy.