Operation against social media following school attacks: 661 accounts investigated, 68 people arrested

Accounts that shared posts on social media regarding the attacks on schools in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş have been placed under scrutiny. As part of the investigations, a review was conducted into a total of 661 account holders, and significant developments have occurred in the judicial process.

As a result of the operations, 68 people were arrested, while judicial control measures were imposed on 127 individuals. On the other hand, it was reported that efforts are ongoing regarding certain suspects whose identities have been determined, and that apprehension and identification activities are continuing for 95 people.

The statement issued by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications included the following remarks:

"Investigations into the school attacks carried out in the provinces of Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş are being conducted in a multi-faceted and meticulous manner by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices of Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa/Siverek. The process is being carried out in full coordination with the relevant institutions, in line with the sensitivities and instructions of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, regarding the safety of our children and the peace of our nation. It has been determined that there are numerous accounts and posts that, despite the publication ban, have published footage of the incident, made posts of a nature that could create fear, anxiety, or panic among the public, publicly spread misleading information to discredit the statements of official institutions, and praised crime and criminals while publicly inciting the commission of crimes. Within the scope of the work carried out regarding these accounts, investigations have been initiated against a total of 661 account holders at 72 provincial Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices. Of these, 68 have been arrested, judicial control measures have been applied to 127, measures under the Child Protection Law have been applied to 5, 117 have been released and handed over to their families, and apprehension/identification efforts are continuing for 95. Additionally, 249 suspects are in custody, and access bans have been imposed on 1,104 social media accounts."

The statement also noted that work is being carried out regarding accounts that posted claims about future attacks, stating: "Among these accounts, numerous account holders have been identified who specifically target the peace and security of our nation and create unease by pointing to schools and claiming that attacks will be carried out. 389 account users who targeted 275 schools have been identified and taken into custody, and their proceedings are ongoing before judicial authorities. The matter is being followed with sensitivity by 171 Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices across 81 provinces, primarily the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices of Ankara, Kahramanmaraş, and Şanlıurfa. The process is being conducted in coordination with our Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of National Education."