Armenian Mayor of Strasbourg Funds Turks to Build Europe's Largest Mosque

The Armenian leader of Strasbourg, the political capital of Europe, Zhanna Barseghyan, has disappointed not only the Armenian community in France but also the political landscape of the country. On March 22, the city council of Strasbourg decided in its first vote to allocate €2.5 million from its budget to the Turkish Islamic association 'Milli Görüş,' which is under Erdogan's influence, for the purpose of constructing Europe’s largest mosque in Strasbourg.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin criticized the Armenian mayor for supporting an association that refused to sign a framework developed by the French government aimed at countering the activities of Islamist extremists earlier this January. He stated that the French must understand that no religion can be hosted within France's territory. Furthermore, the pro-Turkish organization, by not signing the framework, failed to uphold the values adopted by France.

Darmanin also called on the chief of police in Bas-Rhin to approach the court to clarify the legality of the Strasbourg city hall's decision. In response, Police Chief Schoeliaen accused Zhanna Barseghyan of providing incorrect information to the President of France, saying, “Madam Mayor, you are wrong to say that the police chief has not expressed his concerns about the mosque financing. I have personally informed you about this several times. My lawsuit is already in administrative court.”