Police Raid Opposition HQ in Turkey After Court Ousts Party Leadership

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Ankara: Turkish police stormed the headquarters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Ankara on Sunday, using tear gas to remove members of the party’s leadership after a court ruling triggered a major political crisis.

The intervention followed a court decision that annulled the CHP’s 2023 party congress, removed current leader Özgür Özel, and reinstated former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Authorities then ordered the evacuation of the party headquarters, leading to a tense standoff between police and party members inside the building.

The situation escalated as supporters resisted the eviction, briefly clashing with security forces. Police used tear gas to enter the building, though no serious injuries were reported.

The move has sharply deepened political tensions in Turkey. Özel and his supporters rejected the court ruling, calling it a “judicial coup,” and accused the government of using the legal system to weaken opposition politics. He later led a march with supporters to the parliament in Ankara, where large crowds gathered in protest.

The government has denied interference, insisting that the judiciary operates independently. However, the ruling has raised concerns among analysts about democratic institutions in Turkey, a NATO member already facing criticism over political freedoms.

The CHP has called for renewed party elections and planned protests in Istanbul, while the leadership dispute remains unresolved and tensions continue to rise within the opposition camp.

Pic Credit: AFP