Prosecutors investigate vigilante groups blocking roads in fire zones

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The Milas Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into vigilante groups who blocked the roads and performed ID checks near fire zones in the southwestern Muğla province.

Such groups emerged after unverified claims of "sabotage" about the cause of massive wildfires that have been going on across the country, especially its southern and southwestern parts, since July 28.

People blocking roads have been most commonly seen in Antalya and Muğla, the two hardest-hit provinces from the wildfires.

On August 5, a person named Muharrem Duygu blocked the traffic to perform ID checks for "outsiders." There were journalists in one of the cars that had to stop. One of them, Metin Yoksu, filmed the argument between them and the people who blocked the road between Muğla's Yatağan and Milas. "This person even asked me about my press card," he wrote.

Yatağan Milas yolunda yolumuzu kesip biz ve oradaki insanlara GBT yapmaya çalıştılar dün gece hatta video kaydına başlamadan önce bana dahi basın kartı sordu bu şahıs. İnsanlar Ören'in tahliyesine yakınlarına koştururken bunlar yaşandı bu açıkca suçtur! pic.twitter.com/btKG0EfmD9

— metinyoksu (@metinyoksu) August 5, 2021

After two siblings escaped lynching last week in Manavgat, Antalya, it turned out that they were volunteering in firefighting efforts. 

The mayor of Manavgat had called on residents of the district to refrain from such actions while no legal action was taken regarding the events. (RT/VK)