De Croo took part in the iftar in question at the Hilton hotel in Antwerp at the beginning of March. — © BELGA
The Belgian ambassador to Turkey has been summoned because Prime Minister Alexander De Croo recently attended an iftar organized by a non-profit organization affiliated with the Gülen movement. La Dernière Heure reports this.
On March 11, Prime Minister De Croo attended an iftar at the Antwerp Hilton hotel, the evening meal that Muslims eat after sunset during Ramadan. This happened at the request of the Belgian-Turkish non-profit organization Fedactio. Minister of Justice Paul Van Tigchelt was also among the hundreds present.
The association in question is affiliated with the Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen, public enemy number one of Turkish President Erdogan. Gülen, who has lived in exile in the United States for years, is particularly accused by Turkish authorities of supporting the failed 2016 coup.
The Turkish authorities are said to have summoned the Belgian ambassador in Ankara for this reason. The Prime Minister’s Office confirms the news, but emphasizes that “the participation followed an invitation” that De Croo “honored without a political agenda,” according to his spokesperson.