'Telegram' operation in 10 provinces: Obscene images of children put up for sale

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, stated in a post on his social media account that protecting children is one of the issues they are most sensitive about, adding, "Just as in our 'Blue Homeland,' our virtual patrols are on duty 24/7 in our 'Cyber Homeland'" he said.

Minister Yerlikaya provided information that, under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security's Cybercrime Combat Department, a simultaneous operation was carried out in Kayseri, Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Sakarya, Samsun, and Van to prevent the importation, reproduction, sale, storage, possession, and use of obscene materials involving children, as part of the fight against online child exploitation and abuse.

"Telegram" Yerlikaya reported that it was determined that obscene images of children were being offered for sale in exchange for money via the messaging application, and that payments were made through various channels to purchase the images. He noted that 15 suspects were apprehended during the operations and a large amount of digital material was seized.

15 suspects were apprehended in the simultaneous "SİBERGÖZ-22" operations conducted in 10 provinces, centered in Kayseri, as part of the fight against online child exploitation and abuse.

Protecting our children is one of the issues we are most sensitive about. Just as in our Blue Homeland, our Cyber... pic.twitter.com/QorLx4kwkp

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) February 22, 2024