21 People Detained in Mardin Over Their Social Media Messages About Syria Operation

* Photo:AA

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The Directorate General of Security released a statement earlier today (October 10) and announced that a legal action has been taken against 78 people due to their social media messages about "Operation Peace Spring" launched by Turkey into northern Syria.

Shortly afterwards, it has been reported that 21 people have been detained in Turkey's southeastern provicne of Mardin over their social media posts about the operation. The detained have been charged with "inciting the public to enmity and hatred" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization".

9 HDP executives detained in Mardin

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency, at least nine people, including Mardin Derik Co-Mayor Şerif Kıran and municipal council members from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have also been detained in Mardin. In the early morning hours today, police officers launched an operation in Mardin center, Derik and Kızıltepe districts. HDP Derik Co-Mayor Şerif Kıran, Kızıltepe Municipal Council members Hasip Özdemir and Halil Yağan, Savur Municipal Council member Derya Akyol, Midyat Municipal Council Member Mehmet Ali Atuğ, HDP Mardin Provincial executive Abidin Ünay, Ayten Esmez, Şemsettin Duman and Felemez Özgün have been detained.

'Legal action taken'

In its statement released earlier today, the Directorate General of Security claimed that 78 people in question "propagandized for a terrorist organization" in their social media messages and accused them of "inciting the public to enmity and hatred through black propaganda".

CLICK - Turkey Starts Ground Offensive in Northern Syria

"After some social media platforms and certain websites were examined, it has been detected that messages inciting the public to enmity and hatred over Operation Peace Spring have been posted", the Directorate said.

Accordingly, the Directorate announced that "a legal action has been taken against 78 people who incited the public to enmity and hatred by making black propaganda against our country, posting sourceless and false messages to damage the reputation of our security forces and seen to be propagandizing for a terrorist organization".

'Euphrates Shield' and 'Olive Branch'

During both "Euphrates Shield" and "Olive Branch" operations previously launched into northern Syria, investigations were launched against several people who criticized the cross-border operation and defended peace, some of these people were taken into custody. (TP/AÖ/SD)