Police raid on Halk TV: Trustee appointed, broadcasts suspended

Following a police raid on Halk TV in the early hours of the morning, a trustee was appointed and the channel’s television broadcasts were suspended. Whilst journalists were barred from entering the building, which was surrounded by hundreds of police officers, the trustee committee took over the management of the channel. Cafer Mahiroğlu, Chairman of the Halk TV Board of Directors, who announced the development, reacted angrily towards Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Özgür Özel, Leader of the YENİ Party, criticised the raid, stating: “This is the sort of thing only dictators would do.” The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that, as part of an investigation into Cafer Mahiroğlu on charges of bribery, bid-rigging and money laundering, detention warrants had been issued for 17 people, 11 of whom had been taken into custody. The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was also appointed as a receiver for companies reportedly linked to Mahiroğlu.