Turkey blocks Russian state news agency's website
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkey blocks Russian state news agency's website, 15 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5769001921.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 15, 2016
Turkish authorities have blocked access to Russia's state news agency website Sputnik.
Mahir Boztepe, editor in chief of Sputnik Turkey, made the announcement on his Twitter account on April 15, saying that Turkish users were denied entry not only to the agency's Turkish website but to all its websites in 31 languages.
There's been no official comment so far from Turkey's telecoms and Internet regulatory agency.
The move could further harm relations between Moscow and Ankara, strained since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in November 2015.
Following the warplane incident along the Turkish-Syrian border, Russian President Vladimir Putin imposed sanctions on Turkey and trade between the two countries has plummeted.
Human rights groups and some Turkish media decry what they say has been an unprecedented crackdown on opposition voices in Turkey.
Several opposition newspapers have been confiscated or closed in recent months and broadcasters taken off the air, accused of terrorist activities.
Based on reporting by Hurriyet, Reuters and haberler.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
