In brief
Turkish authorities stormed the headquarters of opposition broadcaster Halk TV, suspending its live broadcasts as investigators seized evidence of alleged bribery, money‑laundering and tender fraud. The raid, which saw eleven individuals arrested and the appointment of a state‑run administrator, is part of a broader crackdown on outlets critical of President Tayyip Erdoğan. Channel owner Cafer Mahiroılógü claimed seven family members were detained, and released a message deeming the move a dark day for Turkey. Critics, including the Istanbul Bar Association, condemned the action as censorship ahead of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoıluğü’s upcoming trial. The incident follows a pattern of targeted arrests and control over media that has pushed Turkey to 163rd place on the Reporters Without Borders press‑freedom index.
Turkish police raided the headquarters of opposition broadcaster Halk TV, suspending live transmissions amid allegations of bribery, money laundering and tender rigging.
The raid, carried out by financial‑crime investigators, saw eleven people arrested. The channel's owner, Cafer Mahiroılógü, claimed that seven members of his family were detained.
The move follows a series of high‑profile attacks on outlets critical of President Tayyip Erdoğan. Halk TV has long been linked to the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
Mahiroılógü released a video message stating, "Today is a dark day for Turkey; the public's right to information is being seized for political reasons."
The Istanbul Bar Association condemned the raid, highlighting its timing just before opposition leader Ekrem Imamoılóu is set to stand trial on corruption charges.
Experts say the crackdown is part of Turkey’s chronic suppression of media freedom, ranking the country 163rd on the Reporters Without Borders press‑freedom index.
Similar raids earlier this year—on T24 and Tele1—revealed a pattern of appointing trustees to neutralise opposition broadcasters.
