A Turkish court has ordered the social media platform X to block access to the presidential candidacy account of Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned Istanbul Mayor and a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This account, which has around 225,700 followers, is now restricted domestically, citing national security and public order as reasons for the ruling.
X has stated it is complying with the court order but is also challenging it legally, highlighting a tension between Turkish law and the platform’s commitment to free speech. The company previously faced similar restrictions, having blocked Imamoglu’s main account with nearly 10 million followers in May 2025 under a different court order.
Imamoglu’s political significance is underscored by his popularity and the protests that erupted following his arrest on terrorism and corruption charges in March 2025. His trial, which began in March 2026, has seen prosecutors seeking an extraordinary sentence of 2,430 years in prison, raising concerns about the fairness of the judicial process in Turkey.
The implications of this court ruling extend beyond Imamoglu, as it reflects the broader challenges faced by political opposition in Turkey. The blocking of his account could hinder his ability to communicate with supporters and mobilise public opinion, further entrenching the current government’s control over political discourse in the country.
Source: DW News
