• Turkey has blocked the X account of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu amid political tensions.
• Authorities cited national security and public order concerns related to a recent post.
• Imamoglu is viewed as a major rival to President Erdogan, with his arrest sparking nationwide protests.
• The blocking has been criticized as an attack on free speech and democracy in Turkey.
• Imamoglu's account remains accessible outside of Turkey; his lawyer has filed an appeal against the decision.

Turkey's authorities have blocked the X account of jailed Istanbul mayor and opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, following a court order that cited "public incitement to commit a crime" in relation to a post made last month. This decision has drawn significant criticism as an infringement on free speech, especially since Imamoglu is widely perceived as a principal rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, escalating tensions within the country, according to Middle East Eye and India Times.

The judicial order came after prosecutors claimed that Imamoglu, who has been detained since March on corruption charges he denies, was not personally managing his account while in custody, thus posing a threat to public order. The Turkish government has previously canceled his university diploma, effectively barring him from running in the upcoming 2028 presidential elections. This series of actions reflects the government's ongoing efforts to silence dissent, as noted by BBC and India Times.

Despite the restrictions, Imamoglu's X account, which boasted nearly ten million followers before the block, has remained a crucial channel for him to communicate with his supporters. His posts from prison, issued through lawyers, included calls for protests against the government and appeals for public action against perceived injustices. The latest restriction prompted widespread online activism, with users changing their profile pictures in support of Imamoglu, highlighting the backlash against governmental censorship, as reported by Middle East Eye and India Times.

The Turkish government's rationale for blocking Imamoglu's account includes assertions of national security and public order threats; however, many view these justifications as politically motivated attempts to suppress opposition. "It's like the authorities want to make him disappear," said a commentator reflecting public sentiment regarding the government's broader pattern of silencing dissenting voices, according to BBC.