Özgür Özel addresses Erdoğan, reacts to account closures on X: 'You cannot silence the voice of the nation'

Referring to the warnings issued by RTÜK to opposition television channels yesterday, Özel criticized the access bans imposed today on hundreds of accounts on the X platform via the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). Özel stated, 'I congratulate the Global Affairs management for their democratic and libertarian stance, and I hope they continue this stance with courage.'

Addressing Erdoğan, Özel emphasized that the voice of the nation cannot be silenced. Özel noted yesterday that RTÜK was pressuring TV channels to cut their broadcasts, stating that democracy and freedoms were being obstructed.

In his statement, Özgür Özel noted that the government is trying to suppress opposition voices and stated the following:

'As if it were not enough that they issued RTÜK warnings to opposition television channels that make the voice of the squares heard yesterday, today they are trying to suppress social media by demanding access bans on hundreds of accounts on the X platform via the BTK. Accept it now, Mr. Tayyip, you cannot silence the voice of the nation. I congratulate the Global Affairs management for their democratic and libertarian stance, and I hope they continue this stance with courage.'

GLOBAL AFFAIRS' STATEMENT ON TURKEY

Following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, access bans were imposed on many social media accounts in Turkey. These accounts included news organizations, journalists, political figures, and students. X emphasized that these blocking decisions were unlawful and restricted freedom of expression.

The X platform announced that more than 700 accounts in Turkey were closed at the request of the BTK. In its statement, X used the following expressions:

''We are challenging the numerous court orders from Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority to block more than 700 accounts belonging to news organizations, journalists, political figures, students, and other individuals in Turkey. Providing a platform committed to defending everyone's right to freedom of expression is paramount for X, and we believe that this decision by the Turkish government is not only unlawful but also deprives millions of Turkish users of news and political discourse in their country. We look forward to defending these principles through the legal system. X will always defend freedom of expression wherever we operate.''