Turkish Police Raid Halk TV and Appoint State Trustee to Opposition Network
The seizure removes Turkey's most-watched critical television station from the airwaves as the defense begins in a major trial of the president's main political opponent.
Turkish police and financial crime officers raided the Istanbul headquarters of pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV early on Oct. 14, 2026. Riot police blocked access to the building in the Zeytinburnu district. Broadcasts and online streams ceased at dawn, replaced by classic films and folk dancing.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that Turkey's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund took administrative control of the network and linked companies. Media outlet Medyascope identified İbrahim Paşalı as the appointed trustee. Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş asked the incoming trustee team to allow live news coverage to continue, but officials rejected the request.
Prosecutors said the inquiry involves allegations of bribery, bid-rigging and money laundering. They alleged that 14.46 million liras in bribes flowed through a repair company tied to İzmir municipal tenders. The Financial Crimes Investigation Board reported that companies linked to owner Cafer Mahiroğlu carried out 30.35 billion liras in transactions.
Police obtained warrants for 17 people and detained 11 suspects during simultaneous morning raids. Mahiroğlu, who resides abroad, was not arrested but stated that police detained seven of his relatives, including his 70-year-old brother. Authorities said four suspects live abroad, one is already incarcerated on other charges, and one remains a fugitive.
Mahiroğlu called the raid baseless and accused the government of using the courts to take away public information. He also blamed former Republican People's Party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for earlier critical remarks. Opposition politician Özgür Özel described the dawn raid as an action typical of dictators and called the authorities weak.
The prosecutor's office said the operation was based strictly on financial records, witness testimony and criminal evidence. European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor said the government aims for total control over domestic media. Human rights group Amnesty International and press unions, including the Journalists' Union of Turkey, condemned the seizure as an attack on media freedom.
Halk TV is the most-watched independent television network in Turkey and frequently criticizes President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The raid coincided with defense arguments in the corruption trial of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The seizure follows state takeovers of broadcaster TELE1 in October 2025 and judicial blocks on news website T24.
Media unions and rights groups are pressing administrative courts to cancel the seizure and allow editorial staff to return. Authorities said they will seek the detention of the remaining six suspects, including extradition efforts for Mahiroğlu. The corruption trial of İmamoğlu will continue without live coverage from the nation's primary opposition broadcaster.
