YEREVAN. – Amid tense relations with Syria, Turkey is trying to use violence against the citizens of its country based on their religious affiliation, turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said.

The rights of Alawites have been violated in Turkey for centuries. They experienced pressure up to genocides and ethnic cleansings.

“The current policy of the Turkish authorities against Alawites has two meanings. First of Alawites have recently been very active. They often hold protest actions. On the other hand, it may also include an external message,” Melkonyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Turkey considers the Alawites as the agents of Assad and Syria, and it is for this reason that they are being persecuted, he explained.

“Thus, Turkey is sending a message to Syrian President Assad,” he concluded.

Clashes with police in Alawi-populated district of Ankara continue for the sixth day. The reason of clashes is an intention to build a Sunni mosque and an Alawi house (djemevi) at one site.