Turkish Police Raid Halk TV Headquarters in Istanbul, Halting Live Broadcasts
On Wednesday, Turkish riot police stormed the Istanbul offices of Halk TV, a news outlet supportive of the opposition, interrupting live broadcasts. The financial crimes unit conducted a search of the premises, resulting in the detention of 11 individuals associated with the channel's owner. A new administrator has been appointed to oversee the station. In connection with an investigation into Halk chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu, who is believed to be outside the country, arrest warrants were issued for 17 individuals on charges of bribery and money laundering. Mahiroğlu referred to the event as "a dark day for Turkey." The Istanbul Bar Association denounced the raid, which took place just before Ekrem Imamoğlu's court appearance regarding corruption allegations. Özgür Özel, leader of the opposition New Party, labeled the raid as "weak and cowardly." Turkey was ranked 163rd in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
Key facts
- Turkish police raided Halk TV's Istanbul headquarters early Wednesday, halting live broadcasts
- 11 people were taken into custody; arrest warrants were issued for 17
- The government appointed a new administrator to run the channel
- Halk chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu faces allegations of bribery, rigging tenders and money laundering
- Mahiroğlu said seven family members were among those detained
- The raid came hours before Ekrem Imamoğlu was due to begin his defence against corruption charges
- Turkey ranked 163rd of 180 countries in the RSF 2026 World Press Freedom Index
- In October 2025, authorities seized control of pro-opposition channel Tele1
Entities
Artists
- Tayyip Erdoğan
- Cafer Mahiroğlu
- Ekrem Imamoğlu
- Özgür Özel
Institutions
- Halk TV
- Republican People's Party
- CHP
- AK party
- New Party
- Istanbul Bar Association
- Reporters Without Borders
- RSF
- T24
- Tele1
- BBC
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey