New ban from the Prosecutor's Office to IMM... Another act of censorship against Ekrem İmamoğlu

In a new directive sent to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) in recent days, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has also imposed a ban on the use of visual and audio content featuring IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

According to a report by journalist Barış Terkoğlu, this directive sent by the prosecutor's office prevents materials such as photographs, videos, and audio recordings of İmamoğlu from appearing in transport vehicles and stations operated by the IMM.

CENSORSHIP OF İMAMOĞLU IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

In accordance with the directive, no content featuring Ekrem İmamoğlu will be allowed in subways, metrobus lines, buses, and ferries operated by the IMM.

The ban will not be limited to the interior of vehicles; promotional, informational, or thank-you visuals, videos, and audio announcements featuring İmamoğlu at stations and stops have also been banned under this scope.

FIRST POSTERS WERE REMOVED, NOW VISUALS ARE BLOCKED

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had previously banned the use of posters and banners of 6 metropolitan mayors, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, across Istanbul with a letter dated March 24.

Following this decision, the relevant visuals were removed from public spaces under the instruction of the Istanbul Police Department. The new decision reveals that this process has been further expanded to include digital content.

İMAMOĞLU WAS ARRESTED ON MARCH 19

The process began with the detention and arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19. With the expansion of the investigation against him, not only the judicial process but also restrictions regarding his representation in public spaces have come one after another.