Woman apprehended in Turkey following criticism of government-imposed Instagram prohibition
The Turkish authorities have detained a woman who, during a street interview, criticized a government ban on the social media platform Instagram.
She was later remanded in custody by a local court pending trial for allegedly “inciting hatred and enmity” and “insulting” the Turkish presidency, according to several local media outlets.
It remains unclear when her case will go to trial.
On Aug. 2, the Turkish government blocked access to Instagram, saying the popular media-sharing platform had failed to comply with its guidelines pertaining to public sensitivities.
At the time, Turkish officials accused Instagram of deleting posts expressing condolences for slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an attack on July 31. Several countries blame Israel for the attack, but Tel Aviv hasn’t claimed responsibility.
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The ban was reversed on Aug. 10 after Meta Platforms, the multinational conglomerate that owns Instagram, pledged to address Turkey’s concerns.
“We are pleased to see that Instagram is back up and running in Turkey,” Meta said in an Aug. 13 statement.
“We remain in dialogue with the [Turkish] authorities and will continue to take action on any violating content and accounts,” it added.
Last week, while the platform was still blocked, Dilbura Y. reportedly criticized the Instagram ban—and the government—during an impromptu street interview.
“This is wrong,” she said in the interview, which was later published on YouTube. “The president cannot ban Instagram as he wishes.”
She went on to roundly censure Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his supporters, and anyone who backed the Instagram ban.
Dilbura Y. was only one of several passersby who were asked by the interviewer to comment on the issue.
‘Intimidation Technique’
In recent years, a number of popular Turkish YouTube channels have taken to publishing street interviews on topical issues and current affairs.
Because much of the country’s media is controlled by the state, such platforms have provided a space for free expression, including criticism of the government and its policies.
“These types of misleading interview techniques are used to deliberately influence the masses,” he wrote in an Aug. 8 social media post.
Sahin added that the RTUK would continue to monitor Turkish social media accounts that regularly feature such street interviews.
The Turkish government, meanwhile, has yet to formally comment on the reported detention of Dilbura Y.
“We do not condone the insults made by the young woman during the interview,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said, “It is alarming that an everyday citizen, who is not a professional commentator, is detained for expressing her opinion.”
Poyraz said the woman’s arrest was a “clear example of how the law is being used as an intimidation technique against dissenting voices.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
