ARREST UPDATE – Account BLOCKED!

Turkey silences jailed opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu by blocking his social media account with nearly 10 million followers as nationwide protests against his arrest intensify.

At a Glance

• Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s X account has been blocked in Turkey following his March 19 arrest on corruption charges he denies
• His detention has sparked Turkey’s largest anti-government protests in over a decade, with thousands arrested
• Turkish authorities cited “national security and public order concerns” under Law No. 5651, Article 8/A for restricting the account
• Opinion polls show Imamoglu’s popularity has increased since his arrest, positioning him as a potential challenger to President Erdogan in 2028
• X’s lawyer in Turkey is filing an objection to the court’s decision to block the account

Government Silences Opposition Leader’s Digital Voice

Turkish authorities have blocked access to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s X (formerly Twitter) account within Turkey, cutting off his digital communication with nearly 10 million followers. The account now displays a message reading “Account Withheld — @ekrem_imamoglu has been withheld in TR (Turkey) in response to a legal demand,” though it remains accessible to users outside the country. The restriction follows Imamoglu’s March 19 detention on corruption charges, which opposition groups and international observers widely view as politically motivated.

Turkish officials justified the social media restriction citing “national security and public order concerns” under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651. Watchdog group EngelliWeb, which monitors internet censorship in Turkey, confirmed the account “has been blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651, on the grounds of protecting national security and public order, and has been made invisible in Turkey by X.”

Legal Challenge and Growing Protests

Attorney Gonenc Gurkaynak has announced plans to challenge the restriction, stating: “Regarding the court decision imposing an access restriction on Mr Ekrem Imamoglu’s account on X, upon X’s request and in my capacity as X’s independent attorney, I will be filing an objection application this morning at the relevant court, comprehensively presenting all legal grounds for our objections on this matter.”

The social media ban appears linked to an April 24 post where Imamoglu condemned his arrest and urged the public to “raise your voice.” Istanbul prosecutors are investigating this message for potential incitement to commit a crime, and requested the account block remain in effect until Imamoglu’s pre-trial detention concludes.

Imamoglu’s detention has triggered Turkey’s largest anti-government demonstrations in over a decade. While mostly peaceful, authorities have arrested approximately 2,000 protesters. Tens of thousands recently gathered outside Istanbul University, which had revoked Imamoglu’s degree shortly before his arrest, in one of the largest rallies in recent weeks.

Opposition Response and Public Support

The Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party to which Imamoglu belongs, has characterized the social media restriction as a continuation of a “coup attempt” following his arrest. CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Boke condemned the move: “Now they won’t even allow him to speak to the public.”

Despite his detention, Imamoglu had maintained an active social media presence through his legal team until the recent block. Many X users have changed their profile pictures to images of Imamoglu in solidarity, with supporters adopting slogans like “We are all Imamoglu,” as expressed by citizen Yusuf Can.

Political Implications and 2028 Election Concerns

Opinion polls indicate Imamoglu’s popularity has increased significantly since his arrest, positioning him as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s potential main challenger in Turkey’s 2028 presidential election. Imamoglu first gained national prominence by defeating Erdogan’s candidate in Istanbul’s 2019 mayoral election, forcing a controversial re-run which he won by an even larger margin.

Law professor Yaman Akdeniz noted that many accounts have faced similar restriction orders since Imamoglu’s arrest, suggesting a broader crackdown on opposition voices. The mayor’s last message on X before the restriction urged supporters to join a protest rally organized by his CHP party.

The social media restriction and ongoing detention mark an escalation in pressure against one of Turkey’s most prominent opposition figures, raising concerns about democratic freedoms and the political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections.