# Turkey blocks Imamoglu's online accounts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-blocks-imamoglus-online-accounts
> Updated: 2026-08-04T19:14:17.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Turkish courts have repeatedly ordered the restriction of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s social‑media presence. In mid‑July 2026, a court order blocked access in Turkey to Imamoglu’s official YouTube channel and to the X account of his presidential‑candidacy office, citing national security and public order. The platforms kept the accounts visible, allowing users to view the content despite the block.

In early August 2026, X announced it was complying with the same court order to block the candidacy‑office X account, while filing a legal challenge that the restriction threatens freedom of expression. On 4 August 2026 a Turkish court ordered X to block domestically the account with about 225,700 followers, reiterating the May 2025 order that had blocked Imamoglu’s main X account (nearly 10 million followers). Imamoglu remains detained since 19 March 2025 on graft, espionage and terrorism charges he denies, and his wife condemned the new block as censorship, arguing it undermines democratic debate ahead of the upcoming elections.

## Claims

- A Turkish court ordered X to block access in Turkey to Ekrem Imamoglu’s presidential candidacy office account. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- X complied with the order in Turkey but filed a legal challenge against it. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The account has around 225,700 followers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court cited national security and public order as reasons for the restriction. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on 19 March 2025 and remains in jail pending trial on graft, espionage and terrorism charges he denies. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Imamoglu was selected as the Republican People’s Party’s presidential candidate after his detention. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Imamoglu’s university diploma was annulled by Istanbul University a day before his detention. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dilek Imamoğlu condemned the access block as censorship and an attack on freedom of expression. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Turkish Court Blocks Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s X Account

Turkey’s court ordered X to block Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s candidacy account; X complies but is legally challenging the restriction, sparking criticism over free‑speech concerns.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-court-blocks-x-account-of-istanbul-mayor-imamoglu

### 2026-07-16: Turkey blocks Ekrem İmamoğlu’s YouTube channel and X account

Turkey courts ordered blocks on Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s YouTube channel and X account for “national security” reasons, but the platforms have not yet hidden the accounts. The move follows his criticism of the‑r‑

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-blocks-ekrem-imamolus-youtube-channel-and-x-account

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Cite as: Turkey blocks Imamoglu's online accounts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-blocks-imamoglus-online-accounts