“Yield to Ambulance” Tweet Faces Prosecution in Turkey

38 individuals faced prosecution for “encouraging to rebellion and violating laws” due to their tweet postings as Gezi Park resistance went full swing in the western city of Izmir. 

While police detained 24 individuals at Organized Crime Desk in Izmir Police Headquarters, 14 are currently wanted. 

Last night, police raided several student residences. Police also detained students as they searched premises and seized cell phones. 

Defense attorney İmdat Ataş told bianet that 38 individuals are accused of violating Turkish Penal Code Articles 214 and 217. 

“They are accused of encouraging to rebellion and violating laws. Some of the evidence for the accusations include tweet messages that said ‘Ambulance can’t enter Basmane Square’ or ‘There is police on the street’”. 

He also added that these accusation could not be a subject of prosecution and only aimed to frighten people. 

The detainees will start their testimonies today. 

Prosecutors applied to Izmir Peace Court but no search or detention order was initially given by the court. Prosecutors issued detention orders after a higher court overturned Izmir Peace Court’s order. 

On Monday, PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the following concerning twitter: 

“There is a problem called twitter. There is all sorts of lied out there. For me, this social media thing is a societal headache at the moment.”

Until today, police detained and released 442 individuals in Izmir in relation to the Gezi Park protests. (AS/BM)

* Photo credit: Nilay Vardar.

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