A woman in İzmir/Turkey has been arrested for criticising the recent Instagram ban during a street interview, marking yet another instance of Turkey’s growing authoritarianism. The incident occurred following remarks made by the head of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Ebubekir Şahin, who recently warned that media content, including social media platforms and street interviews, would be scrutinised more closely.
The woman, identified as Dilbura Y., expressed her frustration with the ongoing restrictions in Turkey, stating, “You have surrendered all your freedom rights to one person and worship him as if he were superior to God. You are all brainwashed idiots.” This outspoken criticism led to her arrest in the early hours of the morning.
After her arrest, Dilbura Y. was taken to the İzmir Courthouse for further legal processing. The authorities, acting swiftly, decided that she would be held in custody during her trial. Following this decision, she was transferred from the courthouse directly to prison.
This arrest is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of increasing repression under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rule. Erdoğan, much like his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, has adopted increasingly autocratic policies, consolidating power and stifling dissent. The Turkish president has a history of verbally attacking his own citizens, having previously referred to protestors and critics with derogatory terms such as (looters), (slut), (white/secular Turks), and (house negro).
Erdoğan’s government has systematically targeted those who dare to oppose or criticise his administration, with social media becoming a frequent battleground for control and censorship. The crackdown on free speech and civil liberties has intensified in recent years, with numerous journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens facing legal action for expressing dissenting views.
The arrest of Dilbura Y. highlights the precarious state of human rights in Turkey, where the government’s grip on power is tightening with each passing day. The situation has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations and the international community, who continue to call for greater freedoms and the protection of civil liberties in the country.
In a country where criticism is increasingly met with harsh reprisals, the case of Dilbura Y. serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing those who strive to speak out against injustice. The international community watches closely as Turkey moves further away from democratic principles, with many concerned about the long-term implications for the region and the world.
