TURKISH POLICE ENTER OPPOSITION CHP HEADQUARTERS

Turkish riot police entered the Ankara headquarters of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, on Sunday after a court ruling annulled the party’s 2023 leadership election, according to Reuters. Police used tear gas and force during the operation to remove ousted party leader Özgür Özel and supporters from the building.

The Associated Press reported that police also fired rubber bullets at supporters and officials gathered at the CHP offices. The raid ended a three-day standoff between members of Turkey’s main opposition party and a leadership team appointed after the court decision.

The court ruling reinstated former CHP chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who previously led the party before Özel was elected in 2023. Reuters reported that the court cited alleged irregularities in the party congress that brought Özel to power.

Özel rejected the ruling and described it as a “judicial coup,” according to Reuters. He said he would challenge the decision through legal and political channels and called for party unity.

The dispute comes after the CHP made gains in Turkey’s 2024 municipal elections under Özel’s leadership. AP reported that opposition figures have described the court decision as political interference, while the Turkish government has said the judiciary operates independently.

[IMG]https://vepbrgvfdbpwzesrqysv.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-images/1779633438340-cssi2tyx0xe.png||Mission Offline Desk[/IMG]