Elon Musk’s social media platform X has suspended several accounts linked to opposition figures in Turkey amid widespread protests over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the leading rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. İmamoğlu was detained shortly before his nomination as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for president.
Demonstrations have spread despite a government-imposed four-day ban on gatherings. Many suspended accounts were university-based activist pages used to organize protests. Some accounts remain accessible outside Turkey but are blocked domestically.
X’s actions follow a Turkish court order, according to activists. One, Ömer Faruk Aslan, claimed his original account was blocked after tweets received over 6 million views. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said authorities identified 326 accounts inciting unrest, leading to 54 arrests.
Under a 2022 Turkish law, the government holds broad authority to suppress online content. X has complied with about 86% of Turkey’s takedown requests in late 2024. Musk previously said limiting content was necessary to avoid a complete platform ban.
Sources
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