Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrest of 855 suspects following anti-Syrian riots in Kayseri.

The announcement came during a press conference held at the Provincial Directorate of AFAD in Kayseri after the "Türkiye's Peace Meeting."

Minister Yerlikaya detailed the events of June 30, when an "ugly incident" triggered protests in Kayseri. In response, security forces detained 855 individuals. Of these, 13 were arrested, and 145 were placed under judicial control. The minister noted that 468 of those detained in Kayseri had criminal records, with offenses including migrant smuggling, intentional injury, looting, theft, sexual abuse, threat and insult, drug offenses, property damage, fraud, and blackmail.

Yerlikaya also provided a broader context, stating that a total of 1,065 individuals were detained across Turkey in connection with similar incidents. Among them, 28 were arrested, and 187 were placed under judicial control.

In his remarks, Yerlikaya highlighted the role of social media in the unrest, pointing to a wave of provocative and false posts by bot accounts. The Department of Combating Cyber Crimes, in coordination with the Security Department, identified 189 account managers, including six based abroad, suspected of spreading disinformation related to the Kayseri events. As a result, 108 individuals were detained, with 12 subsequently arrested. Investigations continue for six individuals still in custody, while 38 were placed under judicial control and 52 were released.

Yerlikaya concluded by emphasizing the ongoing efforts to maintain public order and address provocations, particularly those stemming from social media. (ILKHA)