Turkish authorities issued an arrest warrant for Cafer Mahiroğlu, the UK-based businessman and owner of Halk TV, a prominent opposition-leaning news channel known for its critical stance toward President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government.
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| Turkey issues arrest warrant for opposition-linked TV owner |
The warrant was issued by an Istanbul court as part of a broader corruption investigation involving Beşiktaş Municipality in Istanbul, a local district historically held by opposition parties. Mahiroğlu is facing charges of “rigging public tenders” and “establishing and leading a criminal organization,” according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
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Halk TV is one of a handful of major television outlets in Turkey not aligned with the government. Since its acquisition by Mahiroğlu in 2020, the channel has positioned itself as a voice for opposition parties, secularists, and government critics.
Allegations tied to local corruption case
The case stems from the testimony of Aziz İhsan Aktaş, a former municipal official who was previously arrested in connection with the same investigation. After cooperating with prosecutors under a legal provision similar to a plea bargain—known in Turkey as “effective remorse” Aktaş was released from detention and provided information allegedly implicating Mahiroğlu.
According to prosecutors, Aktaş claimed Mahiroğlu interfered in public procurement processes linked to the municipality. The statement released by the prosecutor’s office added that Mahiroğlu had already left the country, prompting authorities to issue an arrest warrant in absentia.
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The prosecutorial statement reads:
“In case file 2024/236201, relating to the ongoing investigation into charges of establishing and managing a criminal organization, bid rigging, bribery, money laundering, and tax fraud, testimony and investigative findings point to Cafer Mahiroğlu’s involvement in manipulating tender processes. As the suspect has been found to be abroad, an arrest warrant has been issued by Istanbul’s on-duty Criminal Court.”
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| Turkey issues arrest warrant for opposition-linked TV station owner |
Mahiroğlu denies allegations
Mahiroğlu responded to the charges on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing them as part of a broader campaign to silence critical voices.
“I understand exactly what this is about,” he wrote. “Truth may walk slowly, but it always overtakes lies. Those who resort to slander will be buried under the weight of their own fabrications. I still want to believe in the independence and fairness of the judiciary in this country.”
In a longer post, he reiterated that he has lived abroad for 35 years and denied any wrongdoing:
Medyascope'un günlük e-bülteni
Andaç'a abone olun
Editörlerimizin derlediği öngörüler, analizler, Türkiye’yi ve dünyayı şekillendiren haberler, Medyascope’un e-bülteni Andaç‘la her gün mail kutunuzda.
“Since acquiring Halk TV, the smear campaigns against me have been relentless. My work and background are completely transparent. Apparently, owning the people’s channel, defending democracy, law and justice, challenging wrongdoing, and standing against corruption comes at a cost.
I am now being accused based on false statements from someone I have never met. But I see the motive behind this clearly. Truth walks slowly, but one day it passes the lie.”
Halk TV and Turkey’s media landscape
Halk TV is one of very few major television outlets that could be considered opposition alligned. Turkey ranks low in global press freedom indices, and opposition-aligned media outlets frequently face legal pressure, fines, and regulatory hurdles. In recent years, multiple journalists and media executives have been detained or prosecuted on charges ranging from “insulting the president” to “terror propaganda.”
