Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Appoints Receiver to Halk TV, 11 Detained

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office appointed a receiver to Halk TV and suspended the channel's broadcasts; Anti-Financial Crime Division teams conducted a search at the channel's Istanbul office in the early morning hours.

The prosecutor's office launched an investigation into Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu on charges of bribery, fraud in tender procedures, and money laundering. A total of 17 detention orders were issued; 11 individuals were taken into custody as of the morning, and Harika Akkaya, one of the channel's executives, was reported to be among those detained.

During the raid, the channel's live broadcast was cut off and archived programs began airing on screen. In his initial statement, Mahiroğlu targeted CHP General Chair Kılıçdaroğlu: "Police at Halk TV," he said.

Halk TV is one of the leading opposition broadcasting outlets in Turkey. The receiver appointment follows similar operations against Tele1 in 2022 and Sözcü TV in 2023.