Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

X blocks jailed Turkish mayor’s page after opposition protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 May 2025 10:04
3 Min Read

Social media platform X withholds jailed mayor Imamoglu’s account in Turkey following a court order amid ongoing censorship and protests ahead of the 2028 elections.

Listen
  • x
  • Protesters take part in a demonstration against the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu on May 7 (Yasin Akgul/AFP)
    Protesters take part in a demonstration against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on May 7, 2025. (Yasin Akgul/AFP)

Social media platform X has blocked access to the account of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Turkey following a legal demand that has drawn widespread attention. Users attempting to view the page from within Turkey were met with a message stating that the account “has been withheld in TR in response to a legal demand,” though no further explanation was provided.

According to Turkish daily Milliyet, the decision to withhold Imamoglu’s account was the result of a court order that was subsequently forwarded to Turkey’s telecommunications regulator and inspection authority, BTK, and to X.

Imamoglu is widely viewed as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival should the incumbent seek another term, which would only be possible if a snap election is called and approved by at least 360 deputies in parliament. Under Turkey’s constitution, presidential candidates must hold a completed higher education degree.

In response to the government’s demands, X announced it had filed a legal complaint with Turkey’s Constitutional Court, challenging the order that led to the blocking of over 100 accounts, including Imamoglu’s.

The company’s decision to contest the ruling highlights growing friction between tech platforms and governments seeking to control digital discourse.

Related News

Istanbul mayor staff face dozens of corruption arrest warrants

US Envoy urges SDF to pursue talks as Turkey proposes meeting

While Imamoglu’s case has garnered the most attention, it is part of a broader campaign targeting dozens of accounts associated with opposition voices, journalists, and civil society figures.

Legal notice targets opposition voices on social media

The move comes amid a crackdown on digital dissent, as Turkish authorities ramp up censorship measures targeting opposition figures and critics. 

This is not the first time X has been compelled to restrict accounts in Turkey, but Imamoglu’s high-profile status has amplified scrutiny. His account remains accessible outside the country, while Turkish users are left in the dark over the rationale for its removal.

One of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most prominent political rivals, Imamoglu, was detained in March on corruption charges. His arrest effectively disqualified him from participating in the 2028 presidential elections, where he was widely seen as the leading opposition candidate.

Imamoglu has strongly denied all allegations, calling them politically driven efforts to sideline him from the political arena. His detention triggered nationwide protests and intensified domestic criticism of Erdogan’s tightening grip on democratic institutions.

With Imamoglu behind bars and now digitally silenced, observers see this as a calculated move to neutralize a serious challenge to Erdogan’s two-decade rule ahead of the next election cycle.

  • Turkey
  • Ekrem Imamoglu
  • X Social Platform
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Social Media Censorship
  • Twitter
  • 2028 Turkish elections

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS