14.10.2026 10:40
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that a trustee had been appointed to Halk TV. In the morning, as a police search was launched in the channel's building, the live broadcast was halted and the program "Görkemli Hatıralar," featuring prayers and folk dance tunes, was aired from tape.
A decision was made to appoint a trustee to Halk TV as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. After the decision, there was a flurry of activity at the channel's headquarters in Istanbul.
POLICE OPERATION IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
With the first light of day, teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Division arrived at Halk TV's service building in Istanbul and launched a search operation. While the teams' inspections in the building continued, the channel's broadcast schedule was also directly affected.
LIVE BROADCAST STOPPED, FOLK DANCE MUSIC PLAYED
During the search and trustee process, the channel's live broadcast was suddenly cut off. Immediately after the broadcast was stopped, a rerun of the program "Glorious Memories" was put on the screens. During the taped broadcast, prayers being said and folk dance music being played drew widespread reaction on social media and among the public.
SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MAHIROĞLU
In a statement regarding the details of the investigation, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reported that legal proceedings had been initiated against Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu on charges of "Bribery," "Bid Rigging," and "Money Laundering of Assets Derived from Crime." The statement emphasized that Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) data, secret witness statements, and suspect statements were included in the investigation file.
IZMIR METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY AND TENDER ALLEGATIONS
In the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's examinations, it was alleged that Cafer Mahiroğlu used his connections with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to ensure the establishment of "BUSTECH Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Services Joint Stock Company." It was stated that concrete findings had been reached showing that Mahiroğlu transferred the company's management to names he himself determined and obtained unjust benefits through municipal tenders. The judicial process within the scope of the investigation continues.