Espionage Investigation Targets TELE1
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday that a trustee has been appointed to ABC Radyo Televizyon ve Dijital Yayıncılık A.Ş., the company that owns the television channel TELE1.
According to the statement cited by Ekonomim, the appointment was made as part of an espionage investigation that also involves TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ, who has been taken into custody.
Prosecutors allege that Yanardağ used the television channel as a tool to commit offences under investigation. While the company is officially registered under the name of his son, Alp Yanardağ, authorities claim that the channel was effectively controlled by Merdan Yanardağ himself.
Court Transfers Management to TMSF
The Istanbul Criminal Court of Peace approved the prosecutor’s request to transfer control of the company to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF).
The TMSF will temporarily manage TELE1’s assets and operations throughout the course of the judicial process. In Turkey, the fund often assumes control of companies linked to ongoing legal or financial investigations.
Separate Investigation Into Istanbul Municipality App
The same prosecutor’s office also confirmed that it had launched a separate investigation concerning the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s “İstanbul Senin” mobile application.
Authorities allege that the app may have transferred users’ personal data to foreign countries and that some data could have been sold on the dark web. The municipality has not yet commented on the claims.
Reactions and Broader Context
As of Friday, TELE1 representatives and individuals close to Merdan Yanardağ had not issued an official response regarding the trustee decision.
The case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates, who warn that the move could further restrict independent journalism in Turkey. Several media organizations have faced administrative or judicial interventions in recent years, often citing national security or financial grounds.
What Happens Next
The TMSF’s appointment means that all administrative and financial control of TELE1 will remain under state supervision while the investigation continues.
Further updates are expected following the court’s review of evidence and any forthcoming statements from TELE1 or the Yanardağ family.
