Turkish Police Raid Opposition Channel Halk TV and Detain Employees

Turkish police raided the offices of the opposition-aligned Halk TV on Wednesday, halting live broadcasts and appointing a state-run management. Eleven channel employees were detained, and arrest warrants were issued for six others over alleged financial crimes.

Opposition deputy group leader Ali Mahir Basarir stated that democracy and freedom of the press are under siege. Authorities claimed the action is part of a corruption and money laundering investigation against the channel's owners, while the opposition views it as an attempt to silence critical media.

Channel board chairman Cafer Mahiroglu called on the public to protest the government takeover, declaring that they will reclaim the network.