Access to the social media account of Istanbul's mayor has been blocked, drawing public outcry and highlighting the ongoing suppression of dissent.
**Turkey Blocks Imamoglu’s Social Media Account Amid Rising Protests Against Erdogan**
**Turkey Blocks Imamoglu’s Social Media Account Amid Rising Protests Against Erdogan**
The Turkish government has silenced opposition voices as protests burgeon for jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
In a controversial move that has sparked widespread protests, the Turkish government has blocked access to the social media account of imprisoned Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Known for being a fierce opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Imamoglu can no longer communicate with his 9.7 million followers on the platform X, although his account remains accessible from outside Turkey.
This ban comes as no surprise given the political background in Turkey; Imamoglu, who was elected mayor three times, is widely believed to stand a strong chance in a presidential election should he be allowed to participate. His account had become a critical lifeline for communicating with supporters, as he posted updates through his lawyers while incarcerated.
"This shows a clear intention to erase him from public consciousness," commented a political analyst. The Republican People's Party (CHP), the primary opposition party, has condemned the blockage as a continuation of an ongoing coup against democracy, initiated when Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges in March.
Commentators on social media have rallied behind Imamoglu, changing their profile pictures in solidarity. A lawyer for the platform X noted that they are contesting the ban legally, while Istanbul's prosecutors are examining a post made by Imamoglu that condemns his arrest and calls for civic action.
The crackdown on opposition is not limited to Imamoglu; numerous leaders and activists have reportedly faced arrests, contributing to a growing narrative among human rights activists that civil society in Turkey is under siege. The mayor is currently incarcerated in a high-security prison, having been arrested alongside several officials from his party.
Recent protests, ignited by Imamoglu's arrest, have seen tens of thousands rally in Istanbul, marking some of the largest demonstrations in recent years. While the protests have been mostly peaceful, they led to a significant number of arrests, indicating the tense political atmosphere in Turkey as it heads into its next presidential election, scheduled for 2028.
This ban comes as no surprise given the political background in Turkey; Imamoglu, who was elected mayor three times, is widely believed to stand a strong chance in a presidential election should he be allowed to participate. His account had become a critical lifeline for communicating with supporters, as he posted updates through his lawyers while incarcerated.
"This shows a clear intention to erase him from public consciousness," commented a political analyst. The Republican People's Party (CHP), the primary opposition party, has condemned the blockage as a continuation of an ongoing coup against democracy, initiated when Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges in March.
Commentators on social media have rallied behind Imamoglu, changing their profile pictures in solidarity. A lawyer for the platform X noted that they are contesting the ban legally, while Istanbul's prosecutors are examining a post made by Imamoglu that condemns his arrest and calls for civic action.
The crackdown on opposition is not limited to Imamoglu; numerous leaders and activists have reportedly faced arrests, contributing to a growing narrative among human rights activists that civil society in Turkey is under siege. The mayor is currently incarcerated in a high-security prison, having been arrested alongside several officials from his party.
Recent protests, ignited by Imamoglu's arrest, have seen tens of thousands rally in Istanbul, marking some of the largest demonstrations in recent years. While the protests have been mostly peaceful, they led to a significant number of arrests, indicating the tense political atmosphere in Turkey as it heads into its next presidential election, scheduled for 2028.
