Turkish Telecommunications Department confirmed on Friday that the agency's website has been blocked.
“This morning the blocking of the site was confirmed. According to a representative from Turkey’s Telecommunications Department, they are not obliged to warn anyone when closing a site,” Tural Kerimov said.
Sputnik News was not notified of the Turkish government's decision ahead of time, according to Turkish bureau chief Tural Kerimov.
"After technical analysis and legal consideration based on the law Nr. 5651, administration measure has been taken for this website (sputniknews.com) according to decision Nr. 490.05.01.2016.-56092 dated 14/04/2016 of the Presidency of Telecommunication and Communication," reads message that appears for anyone trying to access the Turkish site.
"We received no notifications, warnings or other messages from the competent authorities. No communications have been received since the blocking," Kerimov said.
The law, №5651, has been widely criticized by the Turkish opposition as not only violating freedom of speech but also limiting people's right to information.
In March 2014 Turkey temporarily blocked Twitter and Youtube.
In January 2015, the Turkish prime minister and other ministers received the right to block any type of resource in the Internet without a court order. The ministers may demand the Turkish Telecommunications Department and providers to block sites or delete content within four hours after receiving a notice of "national security, protection of social order, or for the prevention of crime."
