“The police are in the Halk TV building. An administrator has been appointed [to take control of the channel, editor’s note]. The live broadcast has been interrupted,” the channel stated on X.

“Arrest warrants were issued for 17 people and 11 people were taken into custody during simultaneous operations carried out” this morning as part of an investigation into “corruption, bid-rigging and money laundering”, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office announced, as quoted by Turkish media.

The administration of the channel has been entrusted to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), a public body, the prosecutor’s office added.