Turkey warned Wikipedia over content, demands it opens office: Minister

ANKARA

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Turkey has warned online encyclopedia Wikipedia, blocked by the country’s telecommunications watchdog two weeks ago, over what it says is content creating a perception that Turkey is supporting terrorist organizations, Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said on May 11.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) stated on April 29 that access to Wikipedia had been blocked, citing a law allowing it to ban access to websites deemed a threat to national security.

Speaking to private broadcaster NTV, Arslan demanded Wikipedia open a representative office in Turkey and be eligible to pay tax.  

“Turkey cannot be shown as a supporter of a terror organization. They should remove the false information, and then we will allow the publications. They should also open an office and pay tax,” Arslan said. 

The internet encyclopedia on May 9 applied to the Turkish Constitutional Court after its appeal against the court ruling to block access.