Releasing a statement, the General Staff said, ''a group of people who have no respect to values, have gone too far by desecrating Turkish flag, the symbol of great Turkish nation, during celebrations to mark the beginning of the spring.''
''The Turkish nation has experienced many betrayals besides its countless triumphs throughout its history. However, it has never seen such a vileness by its so-called citizens in its own territories. Turkish nation is known with its respect even to flag of its enemies
in the battlefield. Such a desecration against Turkish flag of so-called citizens in its country is totally unexplainable and unjustifiable. It is nothing, but treason,'' it said.
The General Staff stressed, ''everyone should be aware of that the Turkish flag, the symbol of indivisible unity of Turkey, is not unclaimed. The TSK has sworn to protect its country and flag at the cost of blood of its soldiers. We recommend to those who attempted to question the loyalty of the TSK to its country and flag, to look at the pages of history.''
During celebrations in southern city of Mersin to mark Nevruz, a group of people shouted slogans in praise of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization of PKK, and attempted to burn the Turkish flag.
