British Cypriot singer denied entry to Greece

British Cypriot singer Isin Karaca was denied entry to Greece and deported from Athens airport upon her arrival for a vacation. Greek authorities prohibited her entry, citing her public performance of the Izmir Marsi song during a 2024 music festival in Komotini. The song commemorates the 1922 entry of Mustafa Kemal’s forces into Izmir, an event that led to the evacuation of the city’s Greek population and a major fire, which many Greeks consider offensive. While Karaca’s husband and daughter were permitted to enter the country, she was barred based on her past actions. Karaca claimed she was treated as an enemy of the state and stated she intends to repeat her actions despite the entry ban. The incident occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between Greece and Turkey concerning the Western Thrace region. Karaca expressed her dissatisfaction via social media, characterizing the decision as a national issue. Greek officials have maintained their position regarding the entry restriction.