‘Social Media’ Operation Accompanied by Ottoman Military Band

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Charged due to social media posts, nine people have been referred to court following police interrogation in Kocaeli.

According to the information lawyer Mehmet Akgül gave to bianet, prosecutor referred the nine figures to criminal judgeship of peace without taking their statement.

Stating that the detention operations were carried out last week by home raids, lawyer Akgül said that his clients were taken to court this morning (March 29).

Akgül told that the detainees were asked about their “critical social media posts about Afrin operation”.

Referred to court, the detainees are being charged with “being a member of an illegal organization” and “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”.

In addition to the nine figures, four others charged with “staffing PKK/KCK” were referred to court following their deposition.

While those who were charged due to their social media posts were taken to court from Security Directorate, Ottoman Military Band was playing in the police vehicle.

259 people have been prosecuted in one week

The Ministry of Interior has stated on its social media account that between the days of March 19 and March 26, 783 social media accounts have been investigated on charges including "insulting statespersons" and after their owners were identified, a legal action has been initiated against 259 of them.

"An investigation has been conducted into 783 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 259 people who have been identified as the owners of these social media accounts."

The Ministry of Interior previously 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/TK)