Police seize weapons and Nazi symbols in far-right social media probe
The operation was carried out by teams from the Ankara Security Directorate’s Child Branch and Intelligence Branch after investigators identified suspects allegedly posting racist and violent content on digital platforms.
Searches of the suspects’ homes reportedly uncovered a blank-firing pistol, an air rifle, three knives and digital material containing Nazi and other racist symbols. Legal proceedings against the detainees are continuing.
Authorities target far-right networks
The Ankara operation is the latest in a series of actions by Turkish authorities against individuals linked to online far-right and neo-Nazi networks.
The subculture has faced increased scrutiny since a knife attack in the central city of Eskişehir in August 2024 exposed connections between violent extremist imagery, online communities and young people.
On Aug. 12, 2024, an 18-year-old identified as Arda Küçük Yetim attacked five people at a park near a mosque in Eskişehir while livestreaming the assault.
He was wearing protective equipment featuring Nazi-related symbols, including the Black Sun emblem.
Prosecutors said Küçük Yetim had prepared a manifesto praising Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik and Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant.
Online ecosystem under investigation
Following the Eskişehir attack, Turkish authorities and media investigations identified online groups that allegedly circulated Nazi propaganda, extremist symbols and violent material, with some reportedly attracting predominantly underage members.
Authorities have also examined alleged connections between Turkish extremists and international online networks promoting neo-Nazi and accelerationist ideology.
Turkish investigators have linked Küçük Yetim to the Terrorgram Collective, an online extremist network that was designated by the US State Department as a terrorist entity in 2025.
The network has been associated by US authorities with violent plots and attacks in several countries.
Focus on young suspects
The fact that seven of the nine detainees in the latest Ankara operation are minors is likely to increase scrutiny of how extremist groups recruit and radicalize young people online.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of the suspects or detailed the specific charges they may face.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source:AA
