Koza Ipek Holding has ties to a movement led by Gulen, the US critic, which the Turkish government accuses of trying to destabilize the state.
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Opponents accuse the government of a media crackdown in the run up to Nov 1 elections.
Turkey’s top business group has expressed “serious concerns” over the fate of press freedom and the security of the judiciary after the seizure of two televisions and newspapers owned by the Koza-İpek Group in a statement on October 28.
Turkish authorities have launched a “terrorism” probe into the 74-year-old cleric, a one-time Erdogan ally now regarded as his arch-nemesis, and his followers.
“The activities of the Gulen network, including its penetration of the Turkish judiciary and police, as well as its political lobbying overseas, should concern everyone who cares about the future of democracy in Turkey”.
Officers on Wednesday smashed through the gates of the media compound with chainsaws, according to images broadcast live on the group’s television stations, Bugun and Kanalturk. A few demonstrators were thrown to the ground before being detained, while others used umbrellas to shield their faces from police pepper spray.
“This is an operation to silence all the dissident voices that the ruling party does not like, including media outlets, opposition parties and businessmen”.
“The government has shown on Thursday what will happen to this country if we do not put a halt to this oppression on Sunday”, Eren Erdem, a lawmaker with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), said on Twitter.
There was no immediate government comment.
Last week, a joint worldwide emergency press freedom mission held a press conference in Turkey in light of increasing media repression.
European Union spokeswoman Catherine Ray said: “We want to reiterate the importance of the respect of the rule of law and media freedom”. They have denied any wrongdoing.
One of the trustees, Umit Onal, said: “Six administrators have been appointed to the media group [by the court]; we are in the company building, but we are not being allowed to do our work”.
Squads from Istanbul Police’s Organized Crime Branch and riot police intervened with tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters attemting to block the entry into the building.
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“Not only does silencing critical media on the eve of an election send a chilling message to journalists, it suggests a distrust of voters’ ability to filter information and make their own decisions”.
