Turkish authorities seized control of Halk TV, a pro-opposition news channel, after a dawn raid and investigation into alleged corruption. The government appointed a trustee to oversee the outlet as broadcasts were halted during a police search of its Istanbul studios.
The raid followed an investigation into Cafer Mahiroglu, owner of Halk TV, who is under scrutiny for bribery, tender-rigging, and asset laundering. At least 11 individuals were detained, with 17 detention warrants issued during the operation. Mahiroglu, who lives abroad, condemned the move as a political attack on press freedom.
Press freedom groups and opposition leaders condemned the government's actions, calling them a continuation of Erdogan's crackdown on dissent. Halk TV's takeover marks the fifth major outlet under government control, signaling a broader effort to restrict media independence in Turkey.
Mahiroglu accused authorities of using the judiciary to suppress criticism, with opposition figures linking the raid to the impending trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of Erdogan.