The Turkish state has taken control of opposition broadcaster Halk TV following a prosecutor’s investigation into financial crimes, in a development that has heightened concerns over press freedom in Turkey.
Hundreds of police officers raided the broadcaster’s offices in Istanbul, blocking access to the building. Live broadcasting was interrupted at 6:30 a.m. local time and replaced with prerecorded programming. According to a channel employee, broadcasts were not allowed to resume despite objections from the station’s editorial management.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it is investigating Halk TV chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu on suspicion of bribery, bid rigging and money laundering. Citing witness statements, financial transactions and other evidence, prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 17 people, 11 of whom have been detained. Mahiroğlu is currently outside Turkey and is being sought by the authorities.
Halk TV is the fifth major Turkish media outlet to be placed under state-appointed management, following Flash TV, Eko Türk, Habertürk and Tele1.
Authorities seized companies in which Mahiroğlu holds a stake or serves in a management role, appointing the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as administrator.
Halk TV is the fifth major Turkish news outlet to be placed under state administration, following Flash TV, Eko Türk, Habertürk and Tele1.
Main opposition leader Özgür Özel condemned the intervention as an attempt to restrict news coverage, linking it to the broader practice of appointing state trustees to businesses and opposition-run municipalities, a policy that has drawn international criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government.
Sources: BBC, Reuters
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