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Turkish newspaper seized by government

Rubber bullets, teargas and water cannon are used on demonstrators angry at a government takeover of the Zaman media group, a vocal critic of the Turkish government.

The raid against the newspaper is reportedly part of a widening crackdown against supporters of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, an influential opponent of President Tayyip Erdogan.

The government in Ankara has come under increasing international criticism over its treatment of journalists.

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Turkish police raid Zaman newspaper offices

Turkish police fired tear gas at protesters gathered outside Zaman newspaper's offices in Istanbul as authorities seized control of the country's largest paper, Reuters reports.

Turkish police raided the offices of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul. Credit: RTV

The raid against the newspaper is reportedly part of a widening crackdown against supporters of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, an influential opponent of President Tayyip Erdogan.

Several people were affected by tear gas as police charged at protesters to disperse the crowd who chanted 'Free press cannot be silenced' and carried placards reading 'Hands off my newspaper'.

Tear gas was fired at protesters outside the Zaman newspaper offices. Credit: RTV

Police evacuated Zaman's offices after entering the building by forcibly breaking down a gate.

Zaman is Turkey's biggest selling newspaper, with a circulation of 650,000 as of the end of February

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Turkish newspaper seized by government

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