Turkish police raid opposition TV station, halting live broadcasts

Turkish police have raided the Istanbul headquarters of opposition-aligned broadcaster “Halk TV”, bringing its live broadcasts to a halt, according to the BBC.

The channel said on Wednesday morning that its employees could not enter the building and that a new manager had been appointed to run it.

Turkish media reports said financial crimes police were searching the premises and that 17 arrest warrants had been issued in an operation linked to the channel’s owner.

“Halk TV” is widely regarded in Turkey as close to the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and often criticises President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party.

In May, a Turkish court removed the CHP leadership from running the party in a legal move the opposition said further strengthened Erdoğan’s grip on power.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, widely seen as Erdoğan’s main political rival, has been in prison for more than a year over corruption allegations. He denies the charges.