Turkey Silences Opposition Leader Ekrem Imamoglu's Social Media Account After Protests
Turkey restricts access to X-account of Istanbul mayor Imamoglu, a critic of President Erdogan, following protests. - Turkey restricts access to X accounts belonging to Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu following demonstrations
In a move that stirs up controversy, the Turkish president's anti-disinformation center has shut down Ekrem Imamoglu's social media account. The suspension stems from a post in April that allegedly incites the public to break the law, as the post strongly condemned the detention of opposition figures and urged the public to speak out.
Yaman Akdeniz, the head of the Turkish Association for Freedom of Expression, calls this action arbitrary and argues that it transforms the online service into an extension of Turkish law enforcement. Akdeniz says that since Imamoglu's detention, multiple social media accounts have been suspended.
Defending Imamoglu's account, lawyer Gönenc Gürkaynak filed an objection in Turkey, acting as an independent counsel for the social media platform. Solidarity moved readers to change their profile pictures to an image of Imamoglu, further amplifying his voice.
Imamoglu found himself behind bars in March, facing charges of corruption. The popular opposition figure denies these accusations, and his arrest sparked widespread protests, being the largest since the Gezi protests in 2013. Over 2000 people, including journalists, have been arrested since then.
Before the account's suspension, Imamoglu urged followers to attend a rally organized by his left-nationalist opposition party, the CHP. An estimated tens of thousands turned out at Istanbul University on Wednesday evening, the very university that revoked Imamoglu's degree before his arrest, barring his path to presidential candidacy.
CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed the rally, emphasizing that their struggle is for democracy and freedom. Over 14.8 million Turks have signed a petition for Imamoglu's release and immediate new elections.
- Ekrem İmamoğlu
- Turkey
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- Arrest
- Incarceration
- AFP
Insights:
- The suspension of Imamoglu's account followed a court order, claiming the post incited the public to commit a crime according to the penal code[2]. Turkish authorities also argued that the continued activity on his account might disrupt public order[2].
- This account block is part of a broader crackdown on social media by the Turkish government, extending to hundreds of accounts since Imamoglu's arrest in March[2]. This action has faced criticism from rights groups as an attempt to stifle freedom of speech[2].
- X's lawyer challenged the decision to block Imamoglu's account, asserting it as unlawful[4]. The company published the court order and its legal challenge[1]. This incident highlights a growing crackdown on political opposition and media in Turkey[2].
- Ekrem Imamoglu, the suspended opposition leader in Turkey, has faced numerous challenges and controversies, most recently with the shut down of his social media account by the Turkish president's anti-disinformation center.
- The decision to suspend Imamoglu's account came following a post in April, accused of inciting the public to break the law by condemning the detention of opposition figures and urging the public to protest.
- Critics, such as Yaman Akdeniz, the head of the Turkish Association for Freedom of Expression, have labelled the suspension as arbitrary, arguing it transforms the online service into an extension of Turkish law enforcement.
- Legal challenges have been made by lawyer Gönenc Gürkaynak in defense of Imamoglu’s account, questioning the legality of the decision.
- The suspension of Imamoglu's account has sparked solidarity, as many users changed their profile pictures to an image of Imamoglu to amplify his voice.
- In the wake of these events, Ekrem Imamoglu remains an influential figure; his left-nationalist opposition party organized a rally that saw tens of thousands attend, notably at Istanbul University, where he was previously barred from presidential candidacy due to the revocation of his degree.
