Freedom of Speech No Longer Exists in Turkey - Sputnik's Editor-in-Chief

The Turkish Telecommunications Department's decision to block Sputnik news agency's website in Turkey is a clear sign of censorship and lack of freedom of speech in the country, Sputnik's Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the Turkish Telecommunications Department confirmed that a decision had been made to block the Sputnik website within the country.

"The decision of the Turkish authorities to restrict access to our Sputnik [website] is another act of strict censorship in a country where the question of freedom of speech no longer exists. It is just not there. This solution looks especially absurd bearing in mind that several days ago Sputnik was marked by the award of Journalists Union of Turkey," Simonyan said. 

Turkey blocks access to Sputnik News Agency website, citing 'administrative measures'

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The Sputnik website was blocked in Turkey on Thursday evening, with the Turkish Telecommunications Department citing "administrative measures."

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."