Türkiye issues 83 arrest warrants after school shooting investigation

Dozens of people have been detained in Türkiye following shootings at two schools, as authorities widen an investigation spanning both physical and digital domains.

According to the television channel Haberler, arrest warrants have been issued for 83 individuals in connection with incidents in the provinces of Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş.

As part of the probe, law enforcement agencies have also blocked access to 940 social media accounts and shut down 93 groups on the messaging platform Telegram, which are alleged to have circulated or discussed content related to the incidents.

Authorities further reported the detention of six minors in connection with cybercrime-related investigations. They are suspected of involvement in unlawful online activity linked to the case.

Earlier, Türkiye’s Ministry of Justice launched legal proceedings across 81 provinces against individuals accused of spreading false information on Telegram, social media platforms, and other online networks.

On April 15, a student ⁠shot at least nine people dead, including fellow pupils, and wounded at least ⁠13 at a middle school in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaras.

April 15 attack in the ‌province of Kahramanmaras was carried out by a student in the eighth grade, Governor Mukerrem Unluer told reporters. The attacker was also dead.

The shooting is the country’s second school attack in two days, coming after April 14 shooting at a high school in Sanliurfa province in the southeast. It was conducted by a former student who killed himself in a showdown with police after wounding 16 people.

By Vafa Guliyeva