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The German and Swedish foreign ministries announced the closure of their countries’ consulates in Istanbul yesterday, due to the growing threat of an attack in Turkey’s largest city..
Germany has warned its citizens in Istanbul that the risk of an attack is particularly high in the central Beyoglu district and around the busy Taksim Square..
The German Foreign Ministry said that the move to close the consulate came after the assessment of the security authorities, and urged citizens to exercise special caution and avoid crowds..
The ministry explained that after the recent events in European capitals, such as the public burning of the Qur’an, the risks of terrorist attacks increased in Istanbul, especially in the city center.
“If you live there, limit your presence outside the home to what is absolutely necessary,” the ministry said.
The Swedish embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul were also closed to visitors, the Foreign Office in Stockholm said, and the British consulate was not open to the public, according to a travel advisory..
Switzerland closed its embassy in Ankara and the consulate general in Istanbul, stressing that there is concrete information about an imminent terrorist attack.