Nineteen Detained over Social Media Posts on Coronavirus Outbreak

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Ninety-three social media accounts were probed and 19 people were detained over "unfounded" and "provocative" posts on the new coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Interior has announced.

In a written statement, it said false claims that the virus has become an epidemic in Turkey, the government is not taking the necessary and sufficient measures and hiding the case from the people are circulating on social media.

Such posts were aimed at causing fear, panic and worry among the people and at making authorities "a target for the public," the statement said.

The General Directorate of Security Head of Combating Cyber Crimes has found 91 suspects and so far detained 19, the ministry stated, adding that detentions continue.

Turkey confirmed its first case of Covid-19 on March 11 and confirmed 46 more cases since then. The late arrival or detection of the virus compared to Turkey's neighbors led to rumors that the government was hiding the cases. (TP/VK)