Halk TV seizure: S&D and Renew Europe MEPs, led by Nardella and Gozi, ask the Commission to act on Türkiye
On 14 October, the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu began presenting his defence in court, the Turkish authorities seized Halk TV, an independent, pro-opposition news channel, under a court order. The channel had covered İmamoğlu’s trial and corruption allegations against the ruling party. It was taken off air, its journalists were barred from its premises and its social media accounts were blocked. The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as trustee.
Seventeen Members of the European Parliament from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe groups have now tabled a written question to the European Commission. The initiative is led by Dario Nardella, S&D MEP, and Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe MEP and Secretary General of the European Democratic Party. It asks whether the Commission intends to respond, and with what measures. It also asks whether the situation in Türkiye amounts to a “significant regression or persistent lack of progress” in the areas listed in Article 8(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 (IPA III). If it does, Article 8(5) allows EU pre-accession assistance to be reduced or suspended. The question cites the Commission’s own Türkiye 2025 Report on freedom of expression and the rule of law.
“Silencing the media means silencing democracy. The seizure of Halk TV, on the very same day Ekrem İmamoğlu began presenting his defence in court, is yet another attack on freedom of the press and expression, and therefore on democracy in Türkiye. To our Turkish brothers and sisters: you are not alone, Europe won’t leave you behind,” said Nardella.
“We European Democrats are, and will remain, on the front line in defending democracy and the rule of law around the world, and in Türkiye in particular. Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been in prison since March 2025, is being tried because he embodies the democratic alternative, and now the channel that reported his defence has been silenced. Europe cannot look the other way. Türkiye is a candidate country, and our relationship must rest on respect for fundamental freedoms,” said Gozi.
The question is co-signed by S&D MEPs Brando Benifei, Stefano Bonaccini, Giorgio Gori, Marco Tarquinio, Irene Tinagli, Alessandro Zan and Nicola Zingaretti, and by Renew Europe MEPs Malik Azmani, Christophe Grudler, Elisabetta Gualmini, Bernard Guetta, European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, Lukas Sieper, Lucia Yar and Dainius Žalimas.
