ISTANBUL — One of Turkey’s largest television news broadcasters, Haberturk, was confiscated by the state Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged fraud, tax evasion and money laundering that has led authorities to seize more than a hundred companies belonging to Can Holding.
State-run Anadolu Agency and other Turkish media reported that Haberturk was among 121 companies transferred to the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF). Broadcaster Show TV was also confiscated. The action follows an investigation by the Kucukcekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul, which said companies under Can Holding were involved in a pattern of financial crimes.
In a statement, prosecutors said investigators uncovered that "large amounts of money of unknown origin were entered via companies operating under Can Holding" and then moved among affiliated firms to conceal their source. The statement said forged documents were used to reduce tax liability and that some of the group’s activities were "directly financed with criminal revenues." Arrest warrants were issued Thursday for 10 people, including senior executives of Can Holding.
Can Holding’s portfolio spans media, education, energy, hotels, health, construction and logistics, according to Turkish reports. The seizures and the transfer of assets to the SDIF are part of the judicial measures to secure companies and funds while the probe continues, officials said.
Haberturk and Show TV operate in a media environment that Turkish and international press freedom monitors say is heavily influenced by the state. Reporters Without Borders ranked Turkey 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 press freedom index and has reported that roughly 90% of media outlets in the country are under government influence. Turkish coverage noted that Haberturk generally supports President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. The broadcaster was operating normally Thursday morning, reporters said.
Turkish authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of all individuals for whom arrest warrants were issued, nor have they released full details of the financial transactions under investigation. The prosecutor’s office said the inquiry remains ongoing and that additional legal steps may follow as the investigation advances.
The confiscations add to a series of high-profile legal and financial actions in Turkey involving business groups, and they are likely to draw scrutiny from investors and media freedom advocates. Officials have framed the measures as part of enforcing tax and financial laws; prosecutors have described the probe as focused on tracing illicit funds and holding responsible parties accountable under criminal statutes.