The Slatest

Turkey Bans Media From Reporting on Kidnapping of 49 Turks by ISIS in Mosul

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Photo by MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images

Turkey has prohibited its media from reporting about the abduction of diplomats and soldiers in the Iraqi city of Mosul last Wednesday by ISIS rebels.​

According to a copy of the ruling published by the RTUK broadcasting authority in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, the ban was made “for the security of Turkish citizens.” 49 Turks were taken, including three children. The kidnappings at the consulate happened only a day after 31 Turkish truck drivers were also seized by ISIS militants.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is known for media bans. In March he blocked YouTube and Twitter throughout the country only days before important local elections.