Child Abuse Claims Lead to Attacks Against Syrian Refugees in Adana

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A man around 20 years old allegedly abused an 11-year-old boy in the southern Adana province last night (September 19).

After rumors spread that the perpetrator was a Syrian refugee, hundreds of people took to the streets and attacked houses and shops of Syrians in Dumlupınar Neighborhood in Seyhan district, where the alleged incident happened.

Forty people, including five women, were detained in police raids for taking part in the attacks and provoking people into attack refugees on social media, the daily Evrensel reported. Some shops' windows were broken and some were set afire.

The Governorship of Adana released a statement, saying that the perpetrator speaks Turkish fluently and is considered to be a citizen of Turkey. It added that an investigation has been opened into the incident and called the people to "have common sense and help security forces." (EMK/VK)