Operation against posts praising criminal organizations in 52 provinces: 216 suspects apprehended

The Ministry of Interior announced that an operation was conducted in 52 provinces targeting individuals accused of making posts on social media platforms praising hitmen and criminal organizations. 216 suspects were apprehended in the operations.

According to the ministry's statement, the operations were carried out under the instructions of Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi and coordinated by the General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) and the offices of the Chief Public Prosecutors. The National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the General Directorate of Security's Intelligence Department, and the Cybercrime Combat Department also participated in the efforts.

The statement indicated that the suspects were making posts through groups created on communication platforms aimed at recruiting hitmen or performing contract killings, and that their social media accounts contained content praising crime and criminals, as well as threats, insults, and organizational propaganda.

The ministry reported that it is assessed that the suspects aimed to announce organizational activities through social media posts, move hostilities and competition between criminal organizations to digital platforms, create a perception that criminal activities are normal, and recruit new members for the organizations.

In its statement, the Ministry of Interior included the following: "We continue our fight with determination against those who encourage crime on social media, those who engage in propaganda for criminal organizations, and criminal structures that target our youth."

News Source: 12punto