Istanbul: Riot police firing tear gas and water cannon stormed two opposition-linked Turkish television stations and forced them off air on Wednesday, stoking deep concerns about media freedom just four days before a pivotal election.
"A dark day for Turkish democracy and freedom," declared the banner headline on the websites of the media companies targeted in the early morning raids in Istanbul.
Critics accuse the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of trying to silence opponents before Sunday's vote, in which his Justice and Development Party (AKP) is widely expected to fail to regain the parliamentary majority it lost in June.
Police in riot helmets were acting on a controversial court ruling ordering the seizure of companies belonging to the Kozi-Ipek conglomerate linked to US-exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen.
Turkish authorities have launched a "terrorism" probe into the 74-year-old cleric, a one-time Erdogan ally now regarded as his arch-nemesis, and his followers.
Officers smashed through the gates of the media compound with chainsaws, according to images broadcast live on the group's television stations, Bugun and Kanalturk.
Brawls erupted outside the offices, prompting police to use tear gas and batons against demonstrators, including lawmakers from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
Several arrests were made, and an AFP photographer was punched by a plain-clothes police officer as scuffles continued throughout the day.
"We will not be silenced," chanted demonstrators.
CHP lawmakers and Bugun TV editor-in-chief Tarik Toros were seen negotiating with police in the TV control rooms before the plug was later pulled on both stations.
"This is an operation to silence all dissident voices that the ruling party does not like, including media outlets, opposition parties and businessmen," Toros said.
AFP
