Turkey launches investigations into social media hate speech

Turkish authorities have launched two separate legal investigations following controversial social media videos that targeted specific groups and regions.

In Şanlıurfa, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into content creator Feride Durdu for ‘inciting the public to hatred or hostility or insulting the public’ under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code. Durdu’s video contained harsh criticisms of the city’s social structure, labeling men and mothers in the region as ‘cursed’ and describing the local family dynamic as one where girls are born as ‘slaves.’ The Şanlıurfa Governor's Office noted that the individual responsible for the content is not a public official and resides abroad.

In Antalya’s Belek district, the Serik Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating two individuals—identified as Mustafa B. and Emre B.—for recording women wearing hijabs at a public beach without consent and using derogatory language. The suspects reportedly made insulting remarks regarding the women's religious attire and compared the beach setting to other countries. Authorities have determined that the suspects left Turkey for abroad on August 14 and are currently making efforts to bring them to justice.