Turkish authorities seized control of Halk TV, a pro-opposition television station based in Istanbul, after police raided its headquarters and stopped live broadcasts. A court appointed a government administrator to run the station and other companies linked to its owner, Cafer Mahiroğlu, who faces investigation for bribery, money laundering, and rigging public contracts. Mahiroğlu, who lives abroad, denied the accusations.
After the takeover, the station stopped airing live news and instead broadcast music and documentaries. Authorities also ordered its social media accounts blocked in Turkey.
The seizure occurred as Halk TV was covering corruption allegations involving figures linked to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling party and the trial of imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.