Massachusetts

Enes Kanter Speaks Out About Alleged Harassment Outside Mosque

Authorities are investigating the alleged harassment of Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter outside a Massachusetts mosque.

Kanter tweeted a video Friday showing two men shouting at him and Celtics rookie Tacko Fall outside the Islamic Center of Boston in Cambridge.

"They were just screaming, yelling, they were calling me a traitor, they were [telling] me I shouldn't be here, they were telling me 'Don't come to this mosque ever again,'" Kanter told NBC10 Boston Monday.

Kanter, a native of Turkey, has been an outspoken critic of that country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said the men in Friday's video were supporters of Erdoğan.

Police said they interviewed Kanter Monday and have identified all parties involved.

"We actually got the guy's name," Kanter said. "I actually told the police his name."

Authorities are expected to release more details about their investigation Tuesday.

Kanter says his criticism of the Turkish government is why he was targeted.

"I should be comfortable going to a mosque and pray, because that is the house of God, and it was just very sad for me to see that happen in America," Kanter said.

He says he will keep speaking up for those who can't.

"My case is just one. And people know my story because I play in NBA," Kanter said. "But there are thousands and thousands stories out there, it's way worse than mine. There are lots of Turkish people here feel the same way how I feel."

Kanter joined the Celtics as a free agent after stints with the New York Knicks and Portland Trailblazers last season. In the playoffs, when the Trailblazers faced the Toronto Raptors, he did not travel to Canada out of fear of being arrested.

"Just because of one dictator, I can't even go out there and do my job," Kanter said at the time, according to NBC Sports Northwest.

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