Turkish court bans website critical of NATO summit

Online reports and activism websites critical of the upcoming NATO military alliance summit in Ankara have been blocked in Türkiye, according to the Disabled Website, which tracks internet activity.

In a statement on Sunday, disabled Web reported that the “NatoDefol” (NATO out) website was blocked by court order on the grounds of national security and public order.

According to the news of Engel Web, the signature campaign titled “No to NATO” (No to NATO) was also blocked on the internet and the campaign’s website could not be accessed from Türkiye.

Disabled Web reported on Saturday that an article in the progressive Left newspaper had been blocked by court order.

In the article, it was stated that emergency repair works had been initiated on the roads just for the summit.

However, the article was made available in Türkiye.

The government has repeatedly tightened laws governing the regulation of social media and websites in recent years.

During the summit to be held on July 7-8, Ankara residents will be subject to restrictions, concerts and other events will be banned, and exams will be postponed.

According to media reports, police ordered municipal authorities to confiscate stray dogs under a widely criticized law.

Cumhuriyet newspaper reported that the facades of the houses on the road leading to the city’s new airport were repainted.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the airport, which was previously used only by the military, to civilian traffic a week ago.

Türkiye’s official news agency Anadolu reported that 40,000 police and security guards would guard the summit.