In brief
Police raided the headquarters of the pro-opposition Halk TV in Istanbul, shutting down live broadcasts and appointing a new manager. Reports confirm that financial crimes police searched the studio, issuing 17 arrest warrants linked to the channel’s owner. Halk TV has long been associated with the opposition, the CHP, often criticizing President Erdoğan’s AKP. The raid follows a May court ruling that removed CHP leadership from the party, tightening Erdoğan’s grip on power. Meanwhile, mayoral rival Ekrem Imamoğlu remains imprisoned on corruption charges.
Police raided the headquarters of the opposition TV channel Halk TV in Istanbul, halting its live broadcasts and appointing a new manager amid mounting charges.
The raid, carried out by the financial crimes police, included a search of the studio and the issuance of 17 arrest warrants linked to the channel’s owner.
Halk TV has long been perceived as close to opposition forces, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and is known for voicing criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party.
The operation comes after a May court decision that removed CHP leadership from the party, a move that the opposition said cemented Erdoğan’s dominance.
Istanbul’s popular mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, a key rival to Erdoğan, remains imprisoned for over a year on corruption accusations that he denies.
