Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya issued a statement on the events that followed the alleged harassment in Kayseri.
Minister Yelikaya’s statement is as follows: We held the “Peace in Turkey Kayseri” conference. We evaluated last year’s data on terrorism, security, illegal immigration, organized crime syndicates, drugs, crime and criminals in our province. As you know; on June 30, ugly events occurred in Kayseri. There were protests in Kayseri. After these events, 855 people were detained. 13 of them were arrested and judicial control orders were issued against 145 of them. I would like to inform you that 468 of the people detained in Kayseri have criminal records for 50 different crimes. These crimes include crimes such as smuggling of immigrants, intentional injury, robbery, theft, sexual abuse, intimidation and insults, drugs, property damage, fraud and extortion. A total of 1,065 people were detained throughout Turkiye due to similar incidents. 28 of them were arrested. Decisions of judicial control were issued against 187 of them.
189 Account Managers Found
There is a process of provocation regarding the migration issue, especially on social media. Manipulative, negative and unrealistic posts are shared by BOT accounts. As a result of the work carried out by the Cybercrime Prevention Department in collaboration with the Security Department, a total of 189 account managers (6 of them living abroad) who are believed to have shared provocative and disinformation content regarding the case were identified in Kayseri. 108 people were caught. Of these, 12 were arrested (6 in custody have ongoing cases, 38 are under judicial control and 52 have been released).
Kayseri. It is a land of generous people like Mount Erciyes. Kayserians are traders. They are the best representatives of the ancient merchant tradition. They are hospitable. My compatriots from Kayseri are committed to their homeland, their flag, their state, their nation and their spiritual values.
As the President has repeatedly stated, we manage immigration issues in accordance with our beliefs, civilized values and international law. We will never tolerate xenophobia or hate speech that goes unrecorded in our country.
Riot provocation
Last night, we saw people trying to cause social unrest by spreading xenophobia and hate speech. Some social media accounts published messages such as “We are starting to riot” under the surface using children. From the same account. We also confirmed that the identity information of Syrians under temporary protection was made public. Our experts investigated the data shared on social media until this morning. According to our initial findings, the shared identity information is data prior to September 8, 2022. We determined that this information does not include any updated data made by the Immigration Bureau after this date. We have assigned a civil inspector to this issue. In addition, the Immigration General Directorate has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office.
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In line with our national interests; we have always fought and will continue to fight illegal immigration in accordance with human rights, law and civilised values, without compromising public order and security.
Currently, there are 96,610 regular migrants in Kayseri. Of these, 83,142 are Syrians under temporary protection, 6,720 with residence permits, and 7,396 Syrians under international protection. From June 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024, 28 operations against migrant smuggling organizers were carried out in the province. As a result of these operations, 35 migrant smuggling organizers were arrested (3 arrests, 2 judicial checks).
During the same period, 1,918 illegal immigrants were intercepted. 3,613 illegal immigrants were deported from Kayseri GGM, and the deportation procedures for the remaining immigrants are continuing. In addition, one mobile migration point vehicle is operating in our city to fight irregular migration. Let us not give in to provocations. Let us not abandon moderation. Let us not harm people, the environment and property through illegal means. Our state is strong. Our security forces continue to fight against all crimes and criminals today as they did yesterday. Turkey’s highest judiciary will give the criminals the punishment they deserve. Our respected President has said: “We will not fall into this insidious trap. We will not succumb to racist vandalism. We know how to fold the hands that reach out to the oppressed, just as we fold the hands that reach out to the national flag.” And we will continue to do so against criminals and provocateurs.
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