- The Turkish government launched an investigation into social media activity that it believes has exacerbated the recent collapse of the lira.
- The country's financial regulator is seeking prison sentences of up to five years for those who spread "erroneous and fabricated news and statements" to influence markets.
- Separately, the chief prosecutor in Istanbul is investigating statements that "threaten ... confidence in the economy."
The Turkish government is launching an investigation into social media posts it believes exacerbated the recent collapse of the lira, blaming what it calls "fabricated news" for the currency's plunge.
According to a report from the Financial Times, which cites Turkey's state news agency, the chief prosecutor in Istanbul has launched an investigation into "persons who are involved in actions that threaten social peace, domestic calm and unity, and confidence in the economy," citing false or manipulative statements in news programmes and on social media.
Separately, Turkey's Capital Markets Board, the country's central bank and financial regulator, said it plans to seek fines and even prison sentences for those who spread "erroneous and fabricated news and statements" about the ongoing crisis that has seen the lira lose more than a quarter of its value in just a week.
Look: The moment the rand, and 5 other emerging-market currencies, followed the Turkish lira into meltdown
The TCMB said it will seek prison sentences of two to five years for people who use news or social media to try to "affect the prices and valuations of capital market vehicles or investors’ decisions through their statements, reports, news stories, and analysis."
The Turkish currency's slide comes amid rising tension with the US over trade. US President Trump authorised increased tariffs against Turkey on Friday.
"This perception operation is a part of the economic war confronting our country," Erdogan's communications advisor Fahrettin Altun tweeted after a speech by the president on Sunday.
"Nowhere in our president’s statement did he say there was a situation in which bank deposits would be seized. His words were aimed at strengthening Turkey’s economy and reflect our state’s determined stance, and had the tenor of a warning to prevent the flight of foreign exchange from our country," he added.
More on the Turkish meltdown and its impact:
- This is why Turkey is in meltdown – and why it is dragging the rand down with it
- Turkey could solve its banking crisis with a massive hike in interest rates — but Erdogan is ideologically against it
- The Turkish lira is sinking so fast it risks 'smashing into the ground' — and people are worried about European contagion
- 'Clear risks of contagion': European markets drop as Turkey's lira crisis spreads around the world
- Look: The moment the rand, and 5 other emerging-market currencies, followed the Turkish lira into meltdown
Receive a single WhatsApp every morning with all our latest news: click here.
Also from Business Insider South Africa:
- Game On! Tekkie Town founders will launch a rival chain soon — here's everything we know about it
- These ultra-luxury villas near the Kruger will cost R90,000 a night – but you get your own butler, spa therapist, and field tracker
- Durex South Africa is investigating its condoms – after faulty batches were found with 'burst pressure' issue
- All the cool features of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 - available in South Africa within two weeks
- This is why Investec is sticking with KPMG — despite shareholder outrage
