X revealed it is following a Turkish court directive to shut down the presidential candidacy page for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. He is a prominent opponent to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The platform noted it is blocking domestic access to the account. It has about 225,700 followers.
X's legal challenge
Based on a court order shared by X, an Istanbul court issued the instruction to restrict the account. It was done in the interest of securing national security and public order. Although the platform agreed to the order, it stated it is contesting the ruling in court. It has released the court document to be open about its response to legal requirements.
The social media firm has encountered similar restrictions in Turkey before. Back then, X filed a legal challenge against the restriction, and the case is still under consideration by the Constitutional Court.
Context of Imamoglu's political role
Ekrem Imamoglu is the leading opposition contender to President Erdogan. He is a deeply controversial figure in Turkish politics. After his university credentials were canceled in March 2025, he was taken into custody the next day. He was charged with terrorism and corruption. This led to massive protests across the country. His trial started in March 2026. Prosecutors demanded 2,430 years in prison.
Imamoglu's detention and the political developments that followed have drawn global scrutiny. He continues to be a symbol of resistance for many in Turkey, even while facing ongoing legal issues and imprisonment.
Risks for X in Turkey
X warned that not following court orders in Turkey could result in harsh consequences, such as reduced platform performance in the country. This has put the company in a challenging situation, as it tries to follow local laws while maintaining its international principles on free expression and content oversight.