Recent attacks on Armenians in Istanbul prove the ongoing anti-Armenian propaganda in Turkey, ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s Armenian Cause Political Affairs Office Director said.

“Despite Ankara’s attempt to present the attacks as mere attempted robberies, some circles in Turkey characterize them as acts of hatred,” Giro Manoyan told a news conference.

“Turkish human rights defenders have released a report urging a probe into the attacks. The atmosphere of fear in the country is further exacerbated by pressure that local Armenians are subjected to,” the politician said, forecasting a rise in anti-Armenian attacks on the threshold of Genocide 100th anniversary, with Turkish authorities as initiators.

On Dec 28, an 85-year-old Armenian woman was repeatedly stabbed and killed in her home, with assailants carving a cross on her chest. On Jan 6, three assailants tried to kidnap an elderly Armenian woman. Other attacks include the Nov 2012 beating of an 87-year-old Armenian woman, and a failed attempt to abduct an elderly Armenian woman on Jan 6. Three elderly Armenian women were attacked in Istanbul on Jan 22, 23 and 25.