Ministry of Interior: 624 Social Media Accounts Investigated in 1 Week

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The Ministry of Interior published a written statement about the social media operations which were conducted from June 4 to June 11, 2018.

In the statement, it has been announced that a legal action has been taken against 306 people due to their social media posts.

The following statement was published on the official website of the Ministry of Interior today (June 11):

"An investigation has been conducted into 624 social media accounts which have propagandized and praised a terrorist organization, openly declared that they are in relation with terrorist organizations, incited the public to enmity and hatred, insulted the state officials, targeted the indivisible integrity of the state and the life safety of people and engaged in hate speech. A legal action has been initiated against 306 people who have been identified."

Soylu: Social media will be under scrutiny

The Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu made a statement on May 11 and said that in the period leading up to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on June 24, social media would be under scrutiny. Soylu stated,

"Our related units will be on duty with the aim of ensuring security in the digital media, detecting especially the cases of propagandizing for a terrorist organization or engaging in other types of provocations on social media and tracking the cyber crimes directed at preventing digital election works."

Erdoğan: Social media terrorism

In a speech on April 16, 2018, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to the messages on social media as "terrorism":

"During Gezi incidents and December 17-25 coup attempts, the FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which is held responsible for the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016) did not hesitate to use this platform [social media] recklessly, coarsely and insidiously. Reputation assassinations were committed, lies and slanders were thrown over us by inflated accounts and fake characters. We have never given in to the social media terrorism of FETÖ. We certainly came in for very serious criticisms both from inside and outside Turkey in that period."

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

The Ministry of Interior 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)