Turkey blocks Ekrem İmamoğlu’s YouTube channel and X account

Turkey's courts ordered access restrictions on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s official YouTube channel (@ekremimamoglu) with 787,000 subscribers and his X account for the “Presidential Candidate Office” (@CAOIletisim1) with 222,000 followers. The decision cites “national security and public order” under article 8/A of law 5651. Both platforms have so far kept the accounts visible in Turkey, meaning users can still view the YouTube videos and X posts.

İmamoğlu said the blocks were retaliation for his recent statements predicting a sharp loss of support for the ruling party and President Erdoğan. The action follows earlier bans on his main X accounts in 2025, including a 9.7 million‑follower account that was made invisible after a court order.

The restriction highlights ongoing tension between the government and opposition figures over online speech ahead of upcoming elections.