Investigation into Social Media Posts About Child Who Lost His Life

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The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of Adana has announced that an investigation has been launched into the social media messages about 9-year-old Ahmet Ataç, who has recently lost his life due to cancer.

As part of an investigation launched against his family relating to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which is held accountable for the attempted coup on July 15, 2016, the parents of the deceased child were arrested in 2018. While his father remained behind bars, his mother was released with an international travel ban two months later.

Mother Zekiye Ataç said that good spirits was very important for a disease like cancer and noted that his son could not see his father for a long time.

After 9-year-old Ataç lost his life yesterday (May 7), several messages were shared on social media, indicating that he could not see his father.

Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into these social media messages.

Press release by the prosecutor's office

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has announced the investigation in a press release. Noting that "Zekiye Aytaç was released on probation, considering that her spouse was arrested as a convict and had a small child treated for cancer," the office has indicated that her international travel ban was also lifted so that the child could be treated abroad.

The office has also shared the following information about his father: "It has been understood that Adana 2nd Heavy Penal Court sentenced the deceased's father H.R.A. to 9 years, 9 months in prison for 'membership of FETÖ armed terrorist organization'; upheld by the 2nd Penal Chamber of the Adana Regional Court of Justice, the verdict is still under the examination of the 16th Penal Chamber of Court of Cassation; and the person is still arrested as a convict in Tarsus Penal Institution due to this sentence."

"The passing of a small child due to a chronic disease like cancer is an issue that will deeply upset everyone who has a heart," the prosecutor's office has indicated and added that "subjecting members and institutions of the judiciary that fulfill their duties stipulated by the law to unlawful attacks through such a sensitive issue is not equitable."

Accordingly, the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has announced the investigation in following words: "An investigation has been launched into the messages posted on social media under the pretext of this incident and constituting a crime against public officials and institutions."

The office has also maintained that "some of these posts have been shared from the accounts that belong to the members or supporters of the terrorist organizations that attempted against the existence of our country." (AS/SD)