Riot police firing tear gas and water cannon on Wednesday stormed the Istanbul headquarters of a media group linked to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bitter rival, on what was described as a dark day for democracy ahead of a pivotal election.
Police in riot helmets moved in after a controversial court ruling ordered the seizure of companies held by the Kozi-Ipek conglomerate linked to US-exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, a one-time Erdogan ally now regarded as his arch-nemesis.
The action triggered widespread concern about media freedom in Turkey, with critics accusing the government of trying to silence opponents of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) before Sunday's legislative vote.
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