Assyrian monument defaced for the second time

GRAFFITI vandals targeted the Assyrian genocide monument in Bonnyrigg last week.
Hermiz Shahen, from the Assyrian Universal Alliance, said police were called when the graffiti was discovered on the monument’s dedication plaque early on Thursday morning.

“We (the Alliance) are disappointed because we feel, like every other community in this free country, we are entitled to remember our victims of genocide,” he said.

“It’s a genocide memorial but its also a work of art in the middle of Bonnyrigg.

“Whoever did this should be investigated and punished.”

Mr Shahen said he did not know what was meant by the tag, which features the numbers 5 and 7 and what appears to be an “evil eye” symbol.

The Alliance has since replaced the plaque with a new one.

This is the second time the controversial monument has been vandalised since it was unveiled less than two years ago.

It was defaced in August 2010, two weeks after it was erected to mark Assyrian Martyrs Day.

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