October 28, 2021 - 13:32 AMT
Turkish-Armenian linguist declared persona non grata in Greece

The Greek government has declared Turkish-Armenian author and intellectual Sevan Nisanyan “persona non grata", new reports suggest.

Nisanyan was on a trip to Albania when he learnt about the decision of Greek authorities, Nisanyan himself has told Ermenihaber. According to him, the authorities of Greece have not disclosed the reason for such a measure, citing state secret.

Another reason, he said, could be his recent article where he used Turkish toponyms of some historical sites in Greece.

Nisanyan has been living in Greece after fleeing a Turkish prison four years ago, he had served three out of a 17-year sentence for violations of a construction code. The Turkish authorities then issued a warrant for his arrest and listed him as a fugitive from the law. The government of Greece granted him a temporary residency permit.

For the last two years, he has been broadcasting a program on YouTube on Sundays, Massis Post says.

In his last social media post he uploaded in Belgrade, he put a photo of himself walking, saying, “Nisanyan. It is time to cruise once again.”