Turkey Silences Jailed Opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu by Blocking His Social Media Account

The Turkish government's recent decision to block the social media account of jailed opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has drawn significant public backlash and protests. Imamoglu, a prominent rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, can no longer communicate with his 9.7 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), a measure critics view as an attempt to suppress his voice. Although the account remains accessible internationally, its block in Turkey follows his ongoing imprisonment since March on alleged corruption charges, which he denies.

On Wednesday night, tens of thousands showed up for protests demanding his release. The Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's main opposition party, criticized the government for attempting to silence Imamoglu following his arrest, which they perceive as politically motivated. CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Boke labeled the account blockage a blatant act of intimidation, indicating a fear of losing power as the next presidential elections approach.

The authorities cited a legal demand for blocking Imamoglu's account, while prosecutors are investigating a post in which he condemned the crackdown on dissent and encouraged citizens to voice their grievances. Despite being behind bars in Marmara high-security prison, he has maintained engagement with his supporters through messages sent via his lawyers until the recent account suspension.

The crackdown, according to human rights groups, is indicative of a broader acceleration of attacks on civil liberties in Turkey. The protests, triggered by Imamoglu's arrest, have marked the largest anti-government demonstrations in over a decade, highlighting growing dissent against Erdogan's administration. With the next presidential election still several years away, the stakes for the opposition remain high as activists continue to rally for change.