Twitter executives head to Turkey for gov't meeting

Twitter executives will meet officials from Turkey's government, a company spokesman said Sunday, after the country's prime minister vowed to pursue the site for alleged tax evasion.

"I can confirm that Twitter representatives will be in Turkey to meet with government officials," a Twitter spokesman said, without providing further details.

Reports have said a meeting between Twitter and Turkish government officials was set for Monday.

It comes after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday accused the micro-blogging site of tax evasion.

"Twitter, YouTube and Facebook are international companies established for profit and making money," Erdogan said.

"Twitter is at the same time a tax evader. We will go after it."

On March 20, Erdogan's government banned access to the site over leaks on the social network implicating his inner circle in corruption claims.

The ban sparked outrage among Turkey's NATO allies and international human rights groups who viewed it as a setback for democracy in the European Union-hopeful country.

Ankara had to lift the ban on April 3 after its highest court ruled the blockade breached the right to free speech.

© 2014 AFP