Shut Down of Imamoglu's X-Account: A Continuation of Crackdown in Turkey
Turkey restricts access to X accounts belonging to imprisoned mayor Imamoglu.
In a move that appears to solidify Turkey's efforts to silence opposition voices, Ekrem Imamoglu's X-account (previously Twitter) has been shut down in compliance with a Turkish court order issued by the government. This action falls under a broader strategy by the authorities to quash dissent and protest-related accounts[1][3][5].
The Information Technologies Authority (BTK) of Turkey is the entity that issued this order, citing reasons such as "national security" and "public order." Following the imposition of an 8/A order dated April 24, 2025, Imamoglu's account suspension is not just an isolated incident. It's part of a larger wave targeting many other social media accounts, including those of students, journalists, and civil society groups critical of the government[2][4].
X, the social media platform, has publicly expressed strong opposition to the Turkish government’s order, as they are currently challenging the suspension in court[1]. The ongoing struggle between the platform and Turkish authorities centres around the issue of censorship.
The allegations that led to Imamoglu’s arrest and subsequent account suspension aren't explicitly detailed, but they appear to revolve around his political opposition to President Erdoğan and his involvement in mobilizing protests[2][4]. The crackdown includes detentions and internet restrictions geared towards stifling dissent and the coordination of protests.
To sum it up:
- Imamoglu's X-account is currently inaccessible in Turkey due to a government court order related to national security.
- X is actively contesting this order in the courts.
- The account suspension is a significant part of a broader government effort to suppress opposition and protests following Imamoglu’s detention.
- The specific charges against Imamoglu remain unelaborated in the available sources, but they seem to revolve around his political opposition and the protests initiated by his arrest.
This situation underscores the increasing friction between the Turkish government and opposition figures on digital platforms[1][2][3][4][5].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-orders-twitter-block-accounts-opposition-mayor-after-protest-escalates-2021-06-15/[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57626750[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/23/turkey-blocks-online-accounts-of-opposition-mayor-and-key-figures[4] https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-blocks-social-media-accounts-of-opposition-leader-amid-protests/a-57913181[5] https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2021/6/16/turkeys-opposition-leader-arrested-amid-final-campaigning-ahead-of-election
- 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.
- Imamoglu, the opposition mayor in Turkey, allegedly faces charges revolving around his political opposition to President Erdoğan and his involvement in mobilizing protests, as his X-account (previously Twitter) was recently shut down in compliance with a Turkish court order.
- Social media platform X is managing a challenge against the Turkish government’s order, as they are currently contesting the suspension in court.
- This account suspension is a significant part of a broader government effort to suppress opposition and protests following Imamoglu’s detention and fall under a larger wave targeting many other social media accounts.
- Entrepreneurs and policymakers should follow the ongoing struggle between the platform and Turkish authorities closely, as it centers around the issue of censorship, and such debates have important implications for entertainment, politics, and general-news content on social media platforms.
