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Turkey arrests 23 on charges of ‘promoting terrorism’ on social media

Published December 15th, 2016 - 05:00 GMT
Most were arrested for praising the PKK on social media sites. (Shutterstock)
Most were arrested for praising the PKK on social media sites. (Shutterstock)

A total of 23 suspects have been held across three Turkish provinces since Tuesday on charges of promoting terrorism on social media websites, according to police sources.

Seven suspects were arrested in southeastern Gaziantep province on Tuesday for sharing posts that allegedly praised the PKK terrorist organization. Another seven suspects were remanded in custody on Monday over similar charges, a police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Five other people were arrested over the same allegations in northwestern Bursa province Wednesday, another police source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Also, four more suspects were detained in southeastern Adiyaman province on Wednesday for promoting the PKK on social media sites, the source added.

Last month, 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested and 10 others, including Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, remain in custody awaiting trial on "terrorism-related" charges.

The lawmakers face prosecution under "anti-terrorism" legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted earlier this year.

The government has accused the HDP of being linked to the PKK, considered a "terrorist" organization by Turkey, the US, and EU.

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