Turkey hits back with '#DontTravelToSweden' Istanbul airport 'travel warning'

The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom has caused anger in Ankara after sending out a tweet attacking a recent decision by the Turkish constitutional court to annul a law protecting children from abuse.

The Turkish court said it would change a law punishing anyone who sexually abuses children aged under 15.

Ankara said that cases would be dealt with individually and judges would give harsher punishments to those who abuse infants. A new law would be enacted to protect children, they said.

"Turkish decision to allow sex with children under 15 must be reversed. Children need more protection, not less, against violence, sex abuse," the tweet read. 

Turkey's age of consent is 18, and has not been changed by the ruling, but many believe that the decision will pave the way for increased abuse against children.

Wallstrom's comment follows a statement displayed at Vienna International Airport, claiming that Turkey allows sexual intercourse with children under the age of 15. It was quickly taken down after protests from Ankara.

— Breaking News (@NewsfeedTr) August 13, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Vienna airport removes anti-Turkey statement after foreign ministry takes action https://t.co/fATBRzqUzw pic.twitter.com/N89cIqR9UO — Breaking News (@NewsfeedTr) August 13, 2016

Disgruntled Turkish twitter users took to social media, saying the claims are false. 

— irem (@irem_) August 15, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Are you trying to spread false rumors about Turkey just like you did with Egypt before the coup? @margotwallstrom https://t.co/R2lsoIyS6H — irem (@irem_) August 15, 2016

— Talip Küçükcan (@tkucukcan) August 15, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post You need to check your source and update yourself. A minister of your calibre should not disseminate such lies. @margotwallstrom — Talip Küçükcan (@tkucukcan) August 15, 2016

Istanbul's International Ataturk Airport reportedly hit back at the Swedish minister's remark with a news ticker reading: "Travel Warning! Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?"

— Joseph Willits (@josephwillits) August 19, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Ads bashing Sweden at Istanbul airport: "Do you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide?" pic.twitter.com/HO1MM1uusN — Joseph Willits (@josephwillits) August 19, 2016

It prompted further "travel warnings" on Twitter with #DontTravelToSweden became a top trending hashtag in Turkey.

— hulofera (@hulofera) August 19, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post #DontTravelToSweden because of.. pic.twitter.com/itlwkV0Lec — hulofera (@hulofera) August 19, 2016

— Seda (@seda_tun) August 19, 2016" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Did you know that Sweden has the highest rape rate worldwide? #DontTravelToSweden — Seda (@seda_tun) August 19, 2016

— Engin Özdemir (@EnginGS54) August 19, 2016 " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post #DontTravelToSweden specially when you have little children with you. — Engin Özdemir (@EnginGS54) August 19, 2016