Turkish police on Wednesday raided the Istanbul headquarters of the pro-opposition television station Halk TV, taking its live broadcasts off the air.
Staff members were prevented from entering the facility on Wednesday morning, according to the broadcaster. Turkish media reported that financial crimes police conducted searches inside the premises, and authorities issued 17 arrest warrants in connection with the channel's owner. A new manager was also designated to take control of the station.
Halk TV is widely regarded within Turkey as being aligned with the opposition Republican People's Party, known as the CHP. The network frequently broadcasts criticism directed at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his governing AK party.
The raid comes amid ongoing legal moves against the country's political opposition. In May, a court ruling removed the CHP leadership from running the party, a measure that the opposition said further cemented Erdoğan's grip on power.
Additionally, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, widely viewed as Erdoğan's primary political rival, has been held in prison for over a year facing corruption accusations. Imamoğlu denies all the allegations, while Turkish authorities have demanded a sentence of more than 2,000 years in jail.
