Turkey Shuts Down Social Media Account of Opposition Leader Imamoglu Amidst Controversy
Turkey restricts access to X accounts associated with jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu.
‘X’, a popular social media platform, has blocked the account of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul, in Turkey. Allegations of incitement to crime were made against Imamoglu based on a post on his page, as declared by the Turkish Communications Directorate. Despite this, Imamoglu's profile remains accessible in other countries, like Germany.
In the midst of public protests and widespread demonstrations against his arrest, Imamoglu's account served as a vital means of communication to his supporters. However, since he is in detention and his posts are perceived to endanger public peace, his X account was provisionally blocked by a Turkish court. It is important to note that the court order only permits the block of the entire account and not individual pieces of content.
Vociferously disagreeing with the decision, Imamoglu’s team filed an appeal, arguing that maintaining access to online platforms like X is fundamental for freedom of speech and the dissemination of information. Particularly in emergencies, such access could be crucial during natural disasters.
Ekrem Imamoglu, a fierce opponent of President Erdogan, has been arrested under corruption charges, which have been criticized as politically motivated by Imamoglu's supporters and international observers. Turkey has been embroiled in a political crisis since the arrest, with tens of thousands of people rallying in Imamoglu's support on a regular basis.
The row over Imamoglu's account has added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere in Turkey. Notably, his supporters have shown their solidarity by altering their social media profiles to Imamoglu's image and participating in large-scale protests in various parts of Istanbul. The block on his X account restricts access solely within Turkey, with the account remaining accessible internationally.
[1] X's legal opposition to the restrictive order and the comprehensive 765-page objection dossier submitted to the Istanbul court during the ongoing court battle (Source: ntv.de, als/dpa)
[2] National security and public order concerns as stated by the Turkish authorities as the reasons for the restriction of Imamoglu's account (Source: ntv.de, als/dpa)
[3] The impact of the account ban on Imamoglu's supporters and the ongoing legal challenge, as well as the accessibility of the account outside Turkey (Source: ntv.de, als/dpa)
[4] Imamoglu’s continued online presence prior to the account block (Source: Unspecified)
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly in emergency situations, as the blockage of Ekrem Imamoglu's social media account during a political crisis in Turkey highlighted the critical role of online platforms in disseminating information and ensuring freedom of speech.
- WhatsApp, in a move that seems unrelated to the ongoing controversy in Turkey, has recently announced a new feature designed to protect workers from the risks related to excessive use of their phones during work hours, allegedly causing strain on their health and productivity levels.
- The Turkish Communications Directorate, which made allegations of incitement to crime against Ekrem Imamoglu, has also requested the general news media to exercise caution when reporting on crime and justice matters, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism in maintaining public peace.
- In a recent political debate, the issue of added protection for workers exposed to ionizing radiation during emergencies, such as natural disasters, was raised, with president Erdogan expressing his support for the proposal, saying it would help safeguard the health and safety of workers in these situations.
