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Police raid opposition headquarters in Ankara
Turkish riot police forced entry into the Republican People's Party (CHP) building on Sunday, using tear gas as supporters barricaded themselves inside. The operation followed a court order removing the party's elected leadership.
Court ruling sparks confrontation
An appeals court declared Özgür Özel's 2025 election as CHP leader invalid on Thursday, reinstating Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who lost the 2023 presidential race to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Kılıçdaroğlu's team requested police enforcement after being denied access to the building.
Ankara's governor directed officers to "implement the court decision," according to an official statement. Footage showed chaotic scenes, with protesters hurling objects and spraying water at police.
Özel vows resistance
In a video posted on X, Özel declared, "We are under attack," as officers breached the barricades. He later addressed supporters outside, stating, "They tried to uproot us-where to? We will take to the streets and squares, marching toward power."
Hundreds followed Özel toward parliament, defying the ruling. The court's decision also dissolved the party's executive board, raising questions about the validity of its future actions.
Broader crackdown on opposition
Human Rights Watch accused Erdoğan's government of "abusive tactics" to weaken democracy. The president, in power since 2003, faces term limits but could seek early elections or constitutional changes to extend his rule.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, a former Istanbul prosecutor, called the ruling a "reinforcement of democratic trust." Gürlek has led investigations into opposition figures, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, jailed for over a year on corruption charges.
Legal and political fallout
The appeals court overturned a lower court's 2025 decision that dismissed allegations of vote-buying in Özel's election. The CHP now faces an uncertain future, with its leadership and decisions legally contested.
