Turkey Halts Halk TV Broadcasts After State Takeover

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Broadcasts were suspended and staff barred from entering the station's headquarters after a state administrator was appointed.

Police entered the headquarters of Halk TV in Istanbul on Wednesday morning as Turkish authorities appointed a state administrator, known as a kayyum, to oversee the opposition-aligned broadcaster.

According to a statement published by the station on X, broadcasts were suspended and employees were prevented from entering the building.

State administrator appointed

In an emergency post, Halk TV said:

"A kayyum has been appointed, broadcasts have been stopped, and Halk TV employees cannot enter the building."

The station stated that a government-appointed administrator had assumed control of the broadcaster and that its transmission had ceased.

Access blocked for staff

Halk TV reported that employees were unable to access the broadcaster's offices following the police operation.

Television broadcasts were also interrupted, according to the channel's statement.

Major opposition media outlet

The development affects one of Turkey's best-known opposition television networks, which has frequently been critical of the government.

No further official details regarding the appointment of the administrator or the legal basis for the intervention were included in the report.