Turkish police storm CHP headquarters, fire tear gas

Ankara: Turkish police stormed the offices of Turkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Sunday, firing tear gas and rubber bullets at supporters gathered outside the gates of the party headquarters in Ankara.

The violence ended a standoff between members of the CHP and its new court-appointed leadership after an appeals court nullified the election of party chief Ozgur Ozel in November 2023 and reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Footage from local media showed riot police entering the premises through clouds of tear gas before journalists were remo­v­ed. Correspon­dents inside the building reported damage to doors and furniture.

The opposition said the ruling was politically motivated and aimed at weakening the CHP ahead of the next presidential election due in 2028.

Ozel, who led the CHP to major gains in the 2024 municipal elections, has retained broad support within the party. He and senior party members have remained inside the headquarters since Thursday's ruling, preventing the new administration from entering.

Police presence increased through the day after Kilicdaroglu's lawyer, Celal Celik, requested assistance from Ankara police to vacate the building. The Ankara Governor’s Office approved the request.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled Turkiye since 2003, first as prime minister and later as president. His main challenger, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, re­m­ains in prison and is on trial on corruption charges. —AP