Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu responded to the written inquiry submitted by CHP Balikesir MP and Interior Affairs Commission Member Ensar Aytekin under the Information Act.

Soylu admitted that 20.474 individuals have been persecuted between 2013 and 2018 for their posts on social media. The response didn’t include numbers for convictions.

“SIGN OF SHACKLES PUT ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT”

Aytekin said the response is “a sign of the shackles they attempt to put on freedom of thought.” Aytekin added: “Nobody can claim that the opposition wasn’t targeted in these persecutions over social media. This witch hunt launched by the government has been certified with Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu’s signature.