Live broadcast interrupted: Turkish police raid opposition channel

Turkish police raided the offices of opposition channel Halk TV in Istanbul, halted its live broadcast, and appointed a state trustee. The operation was part of a bribery and money laundering investigation, during which arrest warrants were issued for 17 people, including the channel's chairman.

Turkish police raided the offices of opposition television channel Halk TV in Istanbul this morning (Wednesday). The channel's management announced that a state-appointed trustee had been placed in charge, and the live broadcast was interrupted mid-air. According to reports in Turkey, police forces arrived at the channel's offices around 5:30 AM and began searches inside the building. The street where the offices are located was closed to traffic, and employees were not allowed to enter. The channel's management stated that hundreds of police officers entered the compound. The live broadcast was cut off at 6:30 AM, after which the channel began airing recorded content. Turkish media reported that the operation was part of an investigation into suspected bid rigging, bribery, and money laundering. Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people, including channel chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu. Opposition figure Özgür Özel condemned the operation and linked it to a violation of press freedom. The raid comes amid ongoing criticism of press freedom in Turkey.