Turkish police detain 162 people over online praise for school shootings

TURKEY: Turkish police have arrested 162 people accused of posting controversial content online about two deadly school shootings which took place this week.

They were “found to have engaged in posts and activities praising crime and criminals and negatively affecting public order”, police said.

At least 16 people were injured in a shooting at a high school in the country’s southeast on Tuesday, before another nine were killed in a shooting at another school in the city of Kahramanmaras on Wednesday.

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Hundreds have gathered near the city’s main mosque for the funerals of the young victims, which are being held on Thursday.

One victim has been identified as 10-year-old Zeynep. Her uncle, Mahmut, told the BBC that she was a clever girl who respected others. He said: “Now she is an angel, she flew away.”

Another bereaved relative at the funerals told the BBC he wanted more protection in schools following the attack.