Social media users including the Labour Party (EMEP) executives and the Federation of Opinion Clubs (FKF) members were detained on charge of “propagandizing for an illegal organisation” in a raid launched this morning in Ankara.
In capital Ankara, 10 people were apprehended, while another was arrested in southern Hatay province, according to the sources.
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 13 people, who shared posts against Turkey’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch. The search for the remaining two suspects is ongoing, the source added.
Labour Party (EMEP) stated that party’s Ankara Provincial Director Rüstem Kahraman and Yenimahalle District Director Özlem Boyraz Özel were detained. Five member of the Federation of Opinion Clubs (FKF) are among the detainees in Ankara. Between March 26 and April 2, legal action has been taken against 242 social media users.
The Ministry of Interior previously announced that 845 people who criticised the Afrin operation on social media and participated in critical activities had been taken into custody.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on January 20 against the YPG forces in Afrin province of North Syria. (EVRENSEL DAILY)
Bülent Falakaoğlu
Hakkı Özdal
