Turkish state takes over Haberturk TV, 120 other firms in fraud probe
The move effectively increases Turkish authorities’ control further over Turkey’s mainstream media.
ANKARA — Turkish authorities on Thursday seized control of 121 companies owned by Can Holding, the conglomerate behind several TV stations including the mainstream news channel Haberturk TV, and issued detention warrants for 10 executives on charges of money laundering, tax evasion and large-scale fraud.
What happened: In a statement early Thursday, Istanbul’s Kucukcekmece prosecutor’s office said the move was part of an investigation into Can Holding, launched after financial intelligence reports and audits that uncovered alleged tax evasion, money laundering, fake invoices and other irregularities.
Prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 10 people as part of the investigation, though the statement did not disclose their names.
Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT reported that the conglomerate's owners, Mehmet Cakir Can and Kemal Can, along with Kenan Tekdag, an executive in Can Holding's media group, were among those targeted by the warrants.
