Prosecutors on Monday launched an investigation into a Turkish medical association after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted angrily to a statement denouncing Ankara's military operation in Syria.
The Ankara chief public prosecutor launched the investigation into 11 members of The Turkish Union of Doctors' (TTB) central administration over the association's "war is a public problem" remarks. Last week the TTB, which has 83,000 members, denounced the cross-border operation, saying "No to war, peace immediately."
"As members of a profession who have taken the oath to save lives we constantly keep in mind our first and foremost duty to defend life and commit to maintain the environment of peace," the statement reads.
Erdoğan accused the union of treason. "We have not heard these terrorist-lovers say yes to peace so far," he said. "This 'No to war' cry by this mob ... is nothing other than the outburst of the betrayal in their souls ... This is real filth, this is the honourless stance that should be said 'no' to," Erdoğan said.
The TTB probe comes after the interior ministry said 311 people had been detained over spreading "terror propaganda" against the operation on social media.
The ministry, according to state-run news agency Anadolu, filed the complaint on Sunday saying the TTB "showed the actions of a terror organisation as legitimate", "praised crimes and criminals", and "urged hatred and hostility".
