Many Turkish users of the social media network Twitter appear to have succeeded in defying a government ban on the site.
President Abdullah Gul was among those who circumvented the order, tweeting his disapproval on Friday. A Turkish website said 2.5 million tweets have been posted since the ban, reportedly setting traffic records in Turkey.
Turkey's main opposition party Friday filed a legal challenge against the court decision to block the online social networking and microblogging service. A top official with the Republican People's Party called the ban "unjust," saying all civilized countries have been criticizing Turkey about the move.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan instituted the ban late Thursday, as the government battles a corruption scandal just days ahead of local elections. Mr. Erdogan said he would take action regardless of what the international community says.
Turkish officials say access will be restored to the country's some 10 million Twitter users once the site removes "illegal content."
The ban drew international condemnation. European Commission Vice President Neelie Kores criticized it as "groundless, pointless, cowardly." The U.S. State Department said it is "very concerned" about the move. Human Rights Watch said the ban is very worrying.
Mr. Erdogan has come under increasing pressure since audio recordings spread across social media appeared to put him in the center of the corruption scandal.
President Abdullah Gul was among those who circumvented the order, tweeting his disapproval on Friday. A Turkish website said 2.5 million tweets have been posted since the ban, reportedly setting traffic records in Turkey.
Turkey's main opposition party Friday filed a legal challenge against the court decision to block the online social networking and microblogging service. A top official with the Republican People's Party called the ban "unjust," saying all civilized countries have been criticizing Turkey about the move.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan instituted the ban late Thursday, as the government battles a corruption scandal just days ahead of local elections. Mr. Erdogan said he would take action regardless of what the international community says.
Turkish officials say access will be restored to the country's some 10 million Twitter users once the site removes "illegal content."
The ban drew international condemnation. European Commission Vice President Neelie Kores criticized it as "groundless, pointless, cowardly." The U.S. State Department said it is "very concerned" about the move. Human Rights Watch said the ban is very worrying.
Mr. Erdogan has come under increasing pressure since audio recordings spread across social media appeared to put him in the center of the corruption scandal.