Turkey’s Public Prosecutors office is to appoint a trustee to manage Koza Ipek Holding which owns media outlets critical of the ruling AK party.

The move which has been slammed by opposition politicians, comes after allegations that the Turkish government was planning to seize the company ahead of the Nov. 1 general election, by orchestrating falsified reports using the Finance Ministry’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).

Republican People’s Party (CHP) İstanbul deputy Barış Yarkadaş is on record saying the decision is completely arbitrary and illegitimate.

“This operation which is carried out without a court order is arbitrary, null and void and illegitimate,” Yarkadaş tweeted. “Those who took as well as those who implement this decision are committing a constitutional crime,” he continued, adding that the move is the latest attempt of the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to silence critical media.