Turkish police entered the Istanbul offices of opposition television station Halk TV on Wednesday, barring journalists from the building as the channel halted its live broadcast. Radio Liberty reported the development on Wednesday, October 14.

Halk TV said officers from counterterrorism, organized crime and financial crime units took part in the operation. Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund was named temporary administrator and given full control over broadcasting.

The Istanbul prosecutor’s office said the searches were part of an investigation into Halk TV board chairman Cafer Mahiroğlu. Authorities suspect him of bid-rigging, bribery and money laundering. Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people, with prosecutors saying 11 had already been detained.

Mahiroğlu, who lives abroad, rejected the allegations as unfounded and described the takeover as politically motivated. The move follows the October 2025 placement of opposition channel Tele1 under the same fund’s administration after its editor-in-chief was arrested on espionage allegations.