3 ‘Social Media Arrests’ in 2 Cities in 2 Days

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Three people have been arrested on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" through their social media posts in the provinces of Elazığ and Urfa over the last two days.

Four people were previously taken into custody in Elazığ on allegation that "they had made propaganda on social media in the name of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) and FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization)". While two of the detained were released on probation, the other two were arrested today (June 22).

In the district of Viranşehir in Turkey's southeastern province of Urfa, Hoger Abbas from Syria was also arrested on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization on social media" by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace yesterday.

Viranşehir District Gendarmerie Command forces organized simultaneous operations in the neighborhoods of Hürriyet, Yenişehir, Arıtır and Nergizli on Tuesday and took five people into custody. The other four people except for Abbas were released on probation.

1,422 social media accounts investigated in one week

The Ministry of Interior has also released a written statement on its official website and announced that between June 11 and June 18, 1,422 social media accounts have been investigated and a legal action has been taken against 251 people.

CLICK - Ministry of Interior: 845 People Detained Due to 'Olive Branch'

The Ministry announced on February 26 that 845 people who criticized the Afrin operation on social media and participated in critical activities had been taken into custody. (AS/SD)

* Photograph: Urfa Haber