X’s Lawyer Challenges Access Ban on İmamoğlu’s Account: “The Decision Is Unlawful”
Ekrem İmamoğlu’s X account
Prof. Dr. Gönenç Gürkaynak, the legal representative of X (formerly Twitter) in Türkiye, has publicly condemned the access restriction imposed on Ekrem İmamoğlu’s official account, declaring the court’s decision unconstitutional and unlawful. Gürkaynak vowed to continue the legal challenge, stating:
“We believe the decision is illegal. We will not give up on this fight.”
The move came after Istanbul’s 8th Criminal Court of Peace ruled on April 24, 2025, to block İmamoğlu’s verified account @ekrem_imamoglu—which had nearly 10 million followers—based on an allegation that one of his posts could be interpreted as “incitement to commit a crime” under Article 214 of the Turkish Penal Code.
X Complies Under Pressure but Fights Back in Court
Although X was legally obliged to enforce the ban, Gürkaynak submitted a 765-page appeal file to Istanbul’s 9th Criminal Court of Peace on May 8, challenging the decision. The file includes a 27-page legal petition supported by 738 pages of documentation, citing rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, Türkiye’s Constitutional Court, and the Court of Cassation.
The appeal argues that the ban constitutes a violation of freedom of expression, is disproportionate, and contradicts democratic principles.
Gürkaynak: “They Might Say It’s Useless, But That Doesn’t Make It Right”
Addressing public skepticism, Gürkaynak acknowledged that some people believe the appeal will be rejected, but reaffirmed the ethical necessity of legal resistance:
“They might be right at some stage when they say, ‘Your appeal will be denied, don’t waste your time, professor.’ But that doesn’t change my belief in the illegality of the decision or the need for a legal struggle.”
He emphasized that legal progress has historically been achieved only through persistence, pointing to past battles over YouTube, Twitter, and Wikipedia access bans in Türkiye.
“Law Only Exists Where It’s Demanded,” Says Gürkaynak
With nearly 30 years of legal experience, Gürkaynak stressed that the rule of law is built through demand and insistence:
“No one should pursue a legal career if they abandon the path when rights aren’t immediately granted. Resistance is how deeper legal foundations are laid.”
His message reflects a broader concern over digital censorship, especially involving political opposition figures like İmamoğlu, whose international X account has also recently been blocked.
