Vandalism of Atatürk Bust in Gökçeada (Imbros)

Vandalism of Atatürk Bust in Gökçeada (Imbros): Municipality Launches Legal Action

In Gökçeada (Imbros), a bust of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, was found abandoned near a garbage container. The images, which surfaced on March 29, 2026, sparked widespread anger and backlash among locals and social media users alike.

Bust Rescued by Association President

The first to bring the incident to public attention was Levent Erkişi, president of the Gökçeada branch of the Atatürk Thought Association. Erkişi stated that after being alerted by a friend in the morning, he went to the scene and retrieved the bust from the garbage area, bringing it to the association. In a photo post on his social media account, he said: "This morning, upon a friend's warning, I retrieved the Atatürk bust left in the trash by a lunatic and brought it to the association." The post quickly gained traction, with many expressing their outrage in comments.

Strong Statement from Gökçeada Municipality

In the evening, the Gökçeada Municipality issued an official statement on the matter, which read:

• The act was described as a "vile disrespect."
• It emphasized that any attack on Atatürk is an attack on the nation's collective memory and honor.
• It announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against the person or persons responsible.
• The municipality pledged to follow the process to the end.

The statement also stressed: "No one can dare to insult the founding values of this country," underscoring that such attempts will never be tolerated.

Strong Reaction from Islanders

Gökçeada is an island known for its historical and cultural values, visited by thousands of domestic and international tourists each year. These images, which do not align with the island's reputation for a calm and peaceful character, deeply shook the local community. The incident trended on social media for hours and was met with shock and sadness among visitors to the island.

Authorities have stated that the legal process against the perpetrators will be pursued decisively, while island residents once again demonstrated their sensitivity in protecting Atatürk's legacy.