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Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan Moves To Block YouTube Following Similar Ban On Twitter (VIDEO)

Turkey Moves To Block YouTube Following Similar Ban On Twitter
Paul Vale
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The day after a court in Ankara ruled that the Turkish government’s recent endeavour to ban Twitter was illegal, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan moved to block another social network from the masses – the video sharing site YouTube.

According to the country’s state-run news agency, the action against YouTube, which is owned by Google, follows the posting of a leaked audio recording of a meeting between Turkey's foreign minister and intelligence chiefs in which the group allegedly discuss military intervention in Syria.

The ban was announced on Thursday morning (local time). According to HuffPost sources within Turkey, access to YouTube was restricted on Thursday afternoon. The AP reported that the state-run telecommunications agency posted the following information pertaining to the site: "After technical analysis and legal consideration based on the law, administrative measure has been taken for this website."

In Ankara on Wednesday, a court ruled in favour of a complaint by Turkey’s bar association and the union of journalists, which argued that the government ban on Twitter, which was instituted five days ago, contravened national laws that ensure freedom of information and communication. It is not know whether the government will appeal the decision.

Despite the Twitter ban, which was instituted after other recordings embarrassing to the administration were posted on the micro-blogging site, most Turkish users were able to access the service through virtual private networks (VPN) or other channels. Similar methods are working for YouTube.

The latest move against YouTube is likely to further outrage the country’s anti-government protesters, with recent demonstrations over the death of Berkin Elvan leading to bloody clashes with the police.

In recent days, the US and several EU countries have lodged concerns about Turkey’s moves to restrict communications, however in a speech last week the beleaguered Erdogan remained defiant, saying, “I don’t care what the international community says”.

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Protestors clean their eyes after police fired flee tear gas during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Protestors flee tear gas during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters in Ankara and Istanbul on Wednesday as tens of thousands took to the streets to mourn a teenage boy who died from injuries suffered in last year's anti-government protests. (credit:Getty Images)
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Protestors flee tear gas during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Protestors flee tear gas during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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A protestor throws a stone onto a police van during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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A riot policemen shoots at a gas canister thrown back by protestors during clashes between riot-police and prostestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests, in Istanbul on March 12, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
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People run away from tear gas and water cannon during clashes between riot-police and prostestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests, in Istanbul on March 12, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
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People run away from tear gas and water cannon during clashes between riot-police and prostestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests, in Istanbul on March 12, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
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Police use water cannon to disperse protestors during Berkin Elvan`s funeral on March 12, 2014 in istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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A protestors wearing a gas mask takes cover with his shield during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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A protester is affected by tear gas during clashes with police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in istanbul. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters in Ankara and Istanbul on Wednesday as tens of thousands took to the streets to mourn a teenage boy who died from injuries suffered in last year's anti-government protests. (credit:Getty Images)
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People run from tear gas during the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests, in Istanbul on March 12, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
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Police use water cannon to disperse protestors during Berkin Elvan`s funeral on March 12, 2014 in istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Police use water cannon to disperse protestors during Berkin Elvan`s funeral on March 12, 2014 in istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Riot police use tear gas to disperse protestors during Berkin Elvan`s funeral on March 12, 2014 in istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Protestors take cover behind a barricade during clashes with riot police after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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Riot police uses tear gas to disperse protestors during clashes after the funeral of Berkin Elvan on March 12, 2014 in Istanbul. (credit:Getty Images)
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