Suspension of Imamoglu's X-Account: A Peddler of Politics and Power Struggles
Turkey restricts access to X accounts belonging to Imamoglu, currently in prison.
In the tumultuous whirlwind of Turkish politics, Ekrem Imamoglu, the defiant rival of President Erdogan, finds himself at the center of yet another storm. His X-account, a prominent platform boasting nearly 10 million followers, has been suspended in Turkey. This latest development unfolded following allegations that a call to commit crimes was made on the account, sparking an investigation by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office.
Initiated by the Turkish Communications Directorate, the investigation accuses Imamoglu of publicly inciting a crime. Curiously, while his X account remains accessible abroad, like in Germany, it has been indefinitely suspended within Turkey due to the account's potential to "harm public peace." Despite the preliminary suspension, Imamoglu's team has waged a legal battle appealing against the decision, citing the importance of the platform for freedom of speech and access to information, especially in emergencies or after natural disasters.
The Political Maelstrom
The suspension of Imamoglu's X account has plunged Turkey into turmoil, re-igniting the most significant protests in years. Imamoglu's arrest on March 19, 2025, marked the catalyst for these demonstrations, with a subsequent imprisonment ensued for corruption charges. Critics vigorously accuse the government of exploiting the judiciary to eliminate Imamoglu, their firm political rival.
Messages from Imamoglu have been reaching the public through the account, despite the account being managed by someone other than the imprisoned Mayor. Protests continue, with recent events taking place outside the university that revoked Imamoglu's diploma before his arrest.
A Political Vortex
-To understand the intricate web of events surrounding the suspension of Imamoglu's X account, consider the following chronology:
- On March 19, 2025, Imamoglu was detained by police, sparking Turkey's largest protests in over a decade.
- By March 23, Imamoglu had been jailed, pending trial on corruption charges he firmly denies.
- In May 2025, access to Imamoglu's X account was barred in Turkey, following a court order.
- The suspension of the account is rooted in a court decision whose specifics remain unclear.
- Legal challenges have been initiated to overturn the decision and restore access to the account.
- Prominent Turkish lawyer Gonenc Gurkaynak has asserted that he was filing an objection to the court decision, following a request from Imamoglu's team.
Sources: ntv.de, als/dpa
[1] ntv.de. "The Political Earthquake Hits Istanbul - Demonstrations in Turkey Continue Despite Arrest of Mayor." Germans Translated, April 15, 2025. [Accessed May 20, 2025].
[2] TRT World. "Opposition Leader's Social Media Account Suspended in Turkey." May 1, 2025. [Accessed May 20, 2025].
[3] Deutsche Welle. "Turkey - Thousands Protest Arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu." May 7, 2025. [Accessed May 20, 2025].
[4] Reuters. "Turkey Detains Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu Amid Calls for Protests." March 20, 2025. [Accessed May 20, 2025].
- 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 during political upheavals and justice system manipulation, such as those experienced by Imamoglu amid his suspension and court battles.
- Imamoglu, despite being imprisoned, has allegedly continued to utilize his X-account to communicate with his followers, debating war-and-conflicts, general news, crime-and-justice, and emergencies, as well as voicing his concerns for workers' rights in potentially hazardous conditions.
- In a surprising twist, the well-known mayor's social media account, among the highest-followed in Turkish politics, was requested to be suspended by concerned political entities, citing incitement of violence, while the account remained accessible to foreign users on platforms like WhatsApp.
- As the suspension of Imamoglu's X-account added fuel to the fire in the already contentious relationship between the Istanbul Mayor and President Erdogan, it also sparked a discussion on the account's possible influence in emergency situations and the protection of freedom of speech in times of political crises.
- In the midst of a complex political game, the suspension of Imamoglu's X account also raised concerns regarding the protection of workers in various precarious situations, not only within the realm of politics, but in war-and-conflict zones, emergency services, and justice systems, where exposure to ionizing radiation and other potential hazards may be a risk.
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