Operation against those threatening schools across Turkey: 12 people arrested

The investigation into the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, which resulted in the deaths of 9 people, is ongoing.

Following the incidents in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa, content shared on social media suggesting that new attacks would be carried out prompted security units to take action. 12 people, 11 of whom are children, were arrested for making posts in various cities that could create threats and panic. In Istanbul, military camouflage, a tactical vest, a helmet and equipment, as well as a knife and pepper spray, were seized at the home of a 17-year-old suspect.

The Cyber Crimes Combat units of the General Directorate of Security launched an investigation into the threats and disinformation content spread following the aforementioned attacks.

ACCESS BLOCK ON 1866 ACCOUNTS

The General Directorate of Security (EGM) announced that access to a total of 1,866 URLs has been blocked. It was also reported that 111 channels operating on Telegram belonging to a group called "C31K," which made posts linked to the incidents, have been shut down.

While a large number of suspects were detained in operations carried out in various provinces, 11 of them were arrested.

ISTANBUL

Within the scope of investigations conducted by the Istanbul Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 1 of the 12 suspects under the age of 18, who were detained on allegations of making threatening posts, was arrested, 1 was released under judicial control, and proceedings for the remaining 10 are ongoing.

During a search of the home of 17-year-old M.A., who was determined to be an open high school student, numerous digital materials were found, as well as military camouflage, a tactical vest, a helmet and its accessories, a knife, and pepper spray. The suspect, who was detained on charges of "making threats to create fear and panic among the public," was arrested by the court.

BURSA

In Bursa, 10 people under the age of 18 were detained on allegations of posting on social media that they were planning an attack on schools. Of the suspects who were referred to the courthouse after their procedures at the police station, 5 were arrested, 3 were placed under house arrest, and 2 were released after their statements to the prosecutor.

In the Nilüfer district, 16-year-old U.E.Ö. was detained following a tip-off that posts were being made in student groups stating that "an attack would be carried out on Atatürk High School and there would be a massacre."

An examination of the drawing book in the suspect's school bag revealed drawings depicting "shooting at the school's security booth, the principal's residence, the sports hall, and the school building, as well as throwing a hand grenade." U.E.Ö. was arrested.

ŞANLIURFA

In Şanlıurfa, a 16-year-old child wrote threatening messages to the social media account of Gürkuyu Secondary School. The suspect, who was detained following the intervention of police teams, was arrested.

UŞAK

In Uşak, 1 of 9 suspects under the age of 18 who made posts on social media stating that "attacks could be carried out on schools" was arrested.

ANTALYA

In the Alanya district of Antalya, gendarmerie teams launched proceedings against 16-year-old 10th-grade student H.G.A., who was determined to have made posts on social media supporting armed attacks on schools, and 19-year-old Z.B.A., who shared content that would create fear and panic by naming a school. Both detained suspects were arrested.

HATAY

In social media examinations by the Hatay Provincial Police Department teams, it was determined that H.E. had made false posts that could create panic regarding the school attacks. The suspect, who was determined to have a prior criminal record, was detained at his address in İskenderun and was arrested by the court.

ÇORUM

In the Sungurlu district of Çorum, T.A. (26), who was determined to have made a post in a messaging group containing parents stating that "there could be an attack on schools," was detained on charges of "publicly spreading misleading information to the public."

Proceedings were initiated against B.Ş. (14) and M.Y.K. (14) on charges of "praising crime and criminals" for posting in another group containing students that "they could carry out violent acts in exchange for money." The suspects were released under judicial control.

SAMSUN

In Samsun, 1 of the 7 students detained due to posts made stating that "there could be an attack on schools" was placed under house arrest, while the others were released under judicial control.

Additionally, a precautionary decision was taken against suspects C.G. and H.U.A. regarding the "prohibition of the use of the internet, phones connected to the internet, and digital materials."

İZMİR

Notable correspondence was detected in a WhatsApp group established by some students at the İzmir Pancar Organized Industrial Zone Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. It was alleged that conversations were held in the group regarding acts similar to the recent school attacks.

Of the 8 students detained, 4 were released after their statements to the prosecutor. 2 students were released under judicial control, and a house arrest decision was issued for 2 students.

ACCOUNT WITH 7.5 MILLION FOLLOWERS DETAINED

Within the scope of the work carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an access block was imposed on a YouTube account determined to be sharing content that encourages children of school age to violence and legitimizes criminal acts.

It was reported that an ex officio investigation was launched into the account named "Minecraft Parodileri," which has over 7.5 million subscribers, under the crimes of Publicly Inciting to Commit a Crime, regulated in Article 214 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), and Praising Crime and Criminals, contained in Article 215.

In a statement made by the Ministry of Interior, it was stated, "Necessary procedures are also being determinedly carried out against those who try to generate provocation over this painful event, exploit the pain of our nation, praise crime and criminals, and spread disinformation."

It was emphasized that cyber patrol activities on social media are continuing without interruption.

The Ministry of Justice also announced that posts made on digital platforms are being closely monitored. It was reported that coordination has been established among 171 heavy penal chief public prosecutor's offices serving in 81 provinces, and that judicial proceedings have been initiated against individuals who praise violence and try to create fear and panic in society.