Turkey Arrests 162 Over Online Posts After Deadly School Shootings
Turkish authorities have arrested 162 people accused of posting controversial content online following two deadly school shootings that shocked the country this week.
According to officials, those detained were involved in sharing posts that allegedly praised violence, spread misinformation, or contributed to public fear and disorder. The arrests come amid heightened tensions after back-to-back attacks in southern and southeastern Turkey.
The deadliest incident occurred at Ayser Calik Secondary School, where at least eight students and one teacher were killed and 13 others injured. Authorities said the 14-year-old attacker, who also died, had planned the assault in advance, with evidence reportedly found on his digital devices.
A day earlier, another shooting at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School left 16 people injured. The attacker, a former student, opened fire before taking his own life.
In the aftermath, Turkish officials imposed strict measures on online activity. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said dozens were detained for sharing prohibited content, including footage of the attacks, messages that could incite panic, or posts glorifying the violence. Authorities also restricted access to more than 1,100 social media accounts.
Funerals for the victims were held in Kahramanmaras, where grieving families and community members gathered to mourn. Among the victims was a 10-year-old girl remembered by relatives as kind and respectful, highlighting the human toll of the attacks.
The crackdown reflects the government’s effort to control the spread of harmful content online, but it also raises ongoing questions about balancing public safety with freedom of expression, especially during national crises.