Turkish authorities carried out a dawn raid on Halk TV, the country’s most-watched pro-opposition news channel, on Wednesday, appointing a government trustee to take control of the broadcaster. The operation halted all live broadcasts, which were replaced with pre-recorded programs including folk dancing and classic Turkish films. Riot police sealed off roads around Halk TV’s Istanbul headquarters, preventing staff from entering while investigators searched the premises.
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office said the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into Halk TV’s chairman, Cafer Mahiroğlu, on charges including bribery, bid rigging, and money laundering. Detention orders were issued for 17 individuals connected to the case, including Mahiroğlu, who resides in the United Kingdom and has denied any wrongdoing. Authorities have taken 11 suspects into custody, with seven reportedly family members of Mahiroğlu among those detained. Officials also appointed trustees to oversee other companies affiliated with Mahiroğlu.
The takeover of Halk TV marks the latest step in a broader pattern of government interventions in media outlets critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. Over recent years, several other prominent broadcasters such as Habertürk, Bloomberg HT, and Show TV have also been placed under state trusteeship. Press freedom advocates and opposition figures warn that these actions further restrict Turkey’s already constrained media landscape ahead of anticipated elections next year.
“The public’s right to receive news is being obstructed for political reasons,” Mahiroğlu asserted in a video posted online, describing the day as “dark” for Turkey. Opposition leader Özgür Özel characterized the raid as an authoritarian measure, condemning the government’s appointment of trustees under the cover of a corruption probe. Amnesty International and journalism associations called for the restoration of Halk TV’s independent operation and criticized what they described as an ongoing assault on media freedom in Turkey.
The crackdown on Halk TV comes amid heightened judicial pressure on opposition politicians amid allegations of corruption. One prominent case involves Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul and a significant opposition figure expected to challenge Erdoğan in upcoming elections. İmamoğlu was due to present his legal defense on corruption charges viewed by critics as politically motivated, a proceeding that Halk TV was covering before its broadcast was halted.
Turkey ranks 163rd out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index, reflecting deteriorating conditions for independent journalism. The government maintains it operates within the bounds of law and denies political interference, while labeling opposition figures as corrupt. However, many observers see the expansion of state trusteeships over critical media outlets as part of a wider strategy to limit dissent and consolidate control during a politically sensitive period.