* Photo: AA
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11 people have been detained in Turkey's Aegean province of İzmir over their social media messages about the "Operation Peace Spring" launched by Turkey into northern Syria on October 9.
Taken into custody in operations launched against 18 residences in central İzmir and districts of Aliağa, Dikili and Menemen, the detained were still deposing at the Security Directorate as of 10.08 aim. today (October 11).
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), 11 people have been charged with "attempting to defame Operation Peace Spring", "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "making a call on social media to encourage supporting masses to act against security forces in accordance with the instructions of terrorist organization".
The AA has also reported that the ones, against whom a warrant has been issued, are still searched for.
Minister Soylu: 121 people detained
* Photo: AA
On the other side, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu made a statement regarding social media messages about the operation later in the day.
"Till now, we have taken the necessary action against around 500 people who insulted Operation Peace Spring, who defined our country as an invader on social media", Minister Soylu said and added, "Our friends have detained 121 people." Indicating that the ones who define the offensive as an invasion are in treason, Soylu continued as follows:
"No one can teach a lesson to Turkey on civilians. We now turn a deaf ear to condemnations and threats. We take the matters into our own hands, we will keep on doing so. They keep on pressuring Turkey, we do not care about it anymore. We have never invaded [anywhere], those who say that are vile."
Two journalists detained yesterday
Digital Services Manager of daily BirGün Hakan Demir and Managing Editor of Diken news website Fatih Gökhan Diler were also detained yesterday over their social media messages about the operation.
Referred to court later in the day, both journalists have been released on probation and with an international travel ban.
21 detained in Mardin
Shortly after the Directorate General of Security announced that a legal action has been taken against 78 people due to their social media messages on Turkey's operation into northern Syria, 21 people were detained in Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin yesterday.
The detained have been charged with "inciting the public to enmity and hatred" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization". (TP/SD)