Türkiye blocks access to Kurdish-focused websites, including Rudaw

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A judge in Ankara has ordered an access ban on three websites and a journalist's Twitter account for "terrorist propaganda."

Rudaw, a multilingual news portal based in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, is among the blocked sites. The outlet has not yet reacted to the ban.

Avesta Publishing House, whose website is also banned, said in a statement, "www.avestakitap.com does not share anything other than promotion and sale of our books ... This is de facto censorship and is unacceptable."

Access to a page on the website of Botan International, a platform cooperating with Reporters Without Borders (RSF), was also blocked.

The Twitter account of the Kurdistan-based journalist Frederike Geerdink was also banned.

The Ankara 4th Penal Judgeship of Peace issued the orders following an application from the General Directorate of Security.

The authorities in Türkiye have long sought to ban websites of pro-Kurdish media outlets. Over the past year, pressures on the Kurdish media have increased, with over 20 Kurdish journalists behind bars for months without an indictment. (AEK/VK)