Turkey Police Raid Opposition TV Station, Halting Live Broadcasts
BBC News
Turkish police have raided the headquarters of a pro-opposition TV channel, Halk TV, halting its live broadcasts.
Halk TV reported that employees were unable to enter the building in Istanbul on Wednesday morning, and a new manager had been appointed to run the channel.
According to Turkish media reports, financial crimes police were searching the building, and 17 arrest warrants had been issued in connection with the raid, linked to the channel's owner.
Halk TV has been viewed by many in Turkey as being close to the Republican People's Party (CHP), and often voices criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling AK party.
In May, a Turkish court removed the CHP leadership from running the party, a move the opposition said further solidified Erdoğan's grip on power.
Meanwhile, Istanbul's popular Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, widely seen as Erdoğan's biggest political rival, has been in prison for over a year over corruption accusations. He denies all charges.
Related topics:
- Press freedom
- Turkey
- Europe