Turkish authorities detained two well-known opposition journalists, Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel, in early morning raids Thursday in Istanbul, as part of an investigation into alleged threats and blackmail, according to a court document reviewed by Reuters.
Both journalists are prominent investigative reporters with Halk TV, a media outlet critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. They are known for their reporting on state-mafia connections and government corruption.
The Istanbul 4th Criminal Court authorized search and seizure operations at their homes, permitting the confiscation of digital devices including computers, phones, and hard drives.
The order came at the request of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, citing charges under penal code provisions related to “threat” and “blackmail.”
Soykan and Ağırel have faced legal challenges in the past due to their critical reporting, including investigations into alleged ties between criminal networks and state institutions.