Turkish men have attacked Syrian businesses and properties. Shops have been set on fire.
Turkish authorities say more than 470 people have been arrested in connection with riots against Syrian refugees that broke out in several cities on Sunday and Monday.
The riots started in the city of Kayseri in central Turkey when a Syrian man was accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old child. According to the authorities, the man suspected of harassment has been arrested.
A group of Turkish men enraged by the incident attacked Syrian businesses and properties. Cars were overturned and shops were set on fire. The rioters shouted that they do not want any more Syrians or foreigners in Turkey.
Yesterday, Monday, the protests also spread to other cities, including Istanbul. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a televised speech accused the opposition of inciting xenophobia and racism. He said it achieves nothing.
Hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees arrived in Turkey when the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Anti-refugees have increased due to economic difficulties. Turkish inflation was almost 70 percent in April.
The Turkish government estimates that there are 3.6 million refugees in the country. The actual number may be even higher.
Sources: AFP, AP