Turkish police take control of opposition television channel's headquarters

Police have taken control of the headquarters of the main private opposition channel, Halk TV, and detained eleven of its employees, the channel and the Istanbul prosecutor's office announced Wednesday. "The police are in the Halk TV building. An administrator has been appointed (to take control of the channel, editor's note). The live broadcast has been interrupted," the channel stated on X. "Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people and 11 people were taken into custody during simultaneous operations carried out on the morning of October 14, 2026" as part of an investigation into "corruption, bid-rigging and money laundering," the Istanbul prosecutor's office announced, as quoted by Turkish media. The administration of the channel has been entrusted to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), a public body, the prosecutor's office added. Report by AFP