Police raided opposition broadcaster Halk TV in Istanbul and appointed a government trustee, sparking criticism over press freedom.

Turkish pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV said on Wednesday that police had raided its office in Istanbul and that a government trustee had been appointed to run the channel, in the latest blow to media freedom in the country.

“Hundreds of police have entered the building. Entry into the Halk TV building is not being permitted while a search is being conducted inside,” the broadcaster said in a story on its website.

Broadcast interrupted during police raid

The channel’s live broadcast was cut off at 6:30 a.m. (0330 GMT), after which pre-recorded material began airing.

Deniz Bayramoglu, a programmer at Halk TV, said on X that Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktas had tried to argue with the head of the trustee delegation to continue the broadcast but that this was not permitted.

There was no immediate comment from authorities on the matter. It was not immediately clear why police had raided the Halk TV offices or appointed a trustee.

Rights groups and Western countries have criticised the government of President Tayyip Erdogan for its deteriorating human rights record and crackdown on press freedom in recent years as it establishes tighter control over mainstream media. Access bans, throttling, fines, and other restrictions have been imposed on several opposition or independent outlets.

Opposition condemns government intervention

Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the main opposition New Party, condemned the move and said this was an attempt by the government to prevent people from accessing news.

“Dawn raid on a television channel, appointing a trustee — only dictators would do such a thing,” Ozel said on X.

“Those who appoint trustees to municipalities and trample the people’s will, have now appointed a trustee to Halk TV, watched by millions. Because THEY ARE IMPOTENT AND COWARDS!” he added, referring to the ousting of elected mayors as part of a legal crackdown on the opposition.