Turkish authorities have taken control of opposition broadcaster Tele1 and moved to sell it at auction, after detaining its editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ on espionage charges, a move widely condemned by press groups as a serious blow to media freedom.
Police units from Turkey’s counterterrorism division raided Tele1’s headquarters in the early hours of Oct. 25, 2025, conducting searches at the Istanbul-based broadcaster. Shortly afterward, Yanardağ, a veteran journalist and the channel’s general broadcasting director, was detained at his home.
Within 12 hours of his detention, Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF)—a state body that has previously taken over companies linked to criminal or political investigations—seized Tele1 and appointed trustees to run it. Since 7:21 p.m. that day, the channel has been under trustee control.
Prosecutors later filed an indictment against Yanardağ on espionage charges, with his first court hearing scheduled for May 11. However, before he has appeared before a judge, the trustee الإدارة has already put the channel up for sale.
Journalists and press freedom organizations in Turkey have described both the appointment of trustees to Tele1 and Yanardağ’s arrest as a major attack on independent media in a country where government pressure on critical outlets has drawn repeated concern from international watchdogs.
Murat Taylan, a journalist, former Tele1 main news anchor, and one of the founders of Tele2, criticized the charges and the sale process during an appearance on the MLSA TV program “Çetele.”
“Espionage accusations have been directed at Merdan Yanardağ. This is something that cannot be explained to the public,” Taylan said. “When you read the indictment itself, you ask, ‘Where is the espionage?’”
Taylan also condemned the decision to auction the channel, calling it unlawful and arguing that any sale should be postponed until Yanardağ’s trial is concluded.
“This sales decision is illegal. It should be put on hold until Merdan Yanardağ’s trial is finished,” he said.
He added that former staff and supporters of Tele1 are considering participating in the auction themselves in an effort to regain control of the broadcaster, possibly through a fundraising campaign, despite lacking the necessary capital at present.
“We are thinking about whether we can find a way out,” Taylan said. “One option could be for us to enter the tender and buy Tele1. We don’t have that kind of money, but a campaign could be organized to raise it.”
The full program is available on the MLSA TV YouTube channel.
