Law enforcement personnel conducted an operation at the Istanbul offices of Halk TV, a television outlet with strong ties to opposition political figures. The station’s facilities were sealed off, preventing staff from accessing the building on Wednesday morning. Broadcasting operations ceased, with both the news channel and YouTube livestreams going offline during the early hours.
According to reporting, financial crimes police executed the search warrant and took 11 individuals into custody. Prosecutors had issued arrest warrants for 17 people in connection with an investigation targeting channel chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu. The investigation centers on allegations involving bribery, tender manipulation, and money laundering. A newly appointed manager assumed control of the station’s operations following the raid.
Mahiroğlu, reportedly absent from the country at the time, communicated via social media that seven family members were among those detained. He characterized the action as a restriction on public access to information motivated by political considerations. The Istanbul Bar Association issued a statement criticizing the operation, noting its timing coincided with court proceedings involving opposition figure Ekrem Imamoğlu, who has been incarcerated for over a year while defending against corruption allegations.
Leadership figures from opposition parties condemned the raid. A spokesman for the New Party described it as authoritarian conduct. Press freedom organizations have consistently documented concerns regarding media landscape restrictions in the country, with recent assessments indicating government influence over the majority of national media outlets and documented concerns about legal action targeting critical publications.
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