The Turkish government has blocked access to the social media account of jailed opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, effectively silencing a major rival to President Erdogan. This move is seen as part of a broader campaign against dissent and has been met with widespread public protests.
Turkey's Government Blocks Opposition Mayor's Social Media Account Amid Ongoing Crackdown
Turkey's Government Blocks Opposition Mayor's Social Media Account Amid Ongoing Crackdown
Authorities in Turkey have restricted access to Ekrem Imamoglu's social media account, exacerbating tensions between the government and political dissent ahead of forthcoming elections.
Access to the account of Istanbul’s jailed opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been blocked by Turkish authorities, marking a significant move in the ongoing political struggle in the country. Imamoglu, a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, can no longer communicate with his nearly 9.7 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), although his account remains accessible to users outside of Turkey. His social media presence has been critical in maintaining contact with supporters while imprisoned.
Local authorities have cited legal reasons for the account block, stating it follows an investigation into a post Imamoglu made condemning his arrest and the government’s broader crackdown on opposition voices. His party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has described the account restriction as a continuation of an unfair coup against him, echoing sentiments that the government fears losing its grip on power.
Imamoglu was elected as Istanbul's mayor three times and recent opinion polls point to his strong chances in a hypothetical presidential election, which is not scheduled until 2028. A message from his account confirmed the ban, indicating it would be possible to access it in Turkey via a virtual private network (VPN).
The clampdown on Imamoglu has provoked widespread public backlash, with tens of thousands attending protests advocating for his release. Critics, including analysts and human rights groups, argue that the arrests of Imamoglu and his associates are politically motivated and reflect a broader campaign against civil society.
Despite being incarcerated since March on charges he denies, Imamoglu continues to galvanize support through his calls for action, inspiring protests that have seen large turnouts, albeit with increased state repression. Recent general public protests in Turkey, stirred by his arrest, have been reported as the largest in a decade, though the numbers are decreasing as the government tightens its grip.
In short, the ongoing developments are indicative of the increasing authoritarian tendencies in Turkey under Erdogan's regime as the 2028 presidential elections approach, raising concerns over political freedoms and judicial independence in the country.
