The operation targeted the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Ankara. Officers broke through barricades and used tear gas and rubber bullets, as footage from broadcaster Halk TV showed. The situation was initially chaotic.
Özel had announced he would not leave the building but stepped outside around 2:30 p.m. German time and spoke to gathered supporters. He then left the square in front of the headquarters, surrounded by supporters and journalists.
Ankara governor’s office had ordered the evacuation, stating it was enforcing a court ruling. A court in Ankara had annulled the 2023 CHP congress, at which Özel was elected chairman, due to alleged irregularities and removed him from office. The court temporarily reinstated his controversial predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, in his place.
Observers consider the decision unconstitutional and politically motivated. The government, however, emphasizes the independence of the judiciary. The ruling is seen as a severe blow to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s political opponents and could lead to the dismantling of the CHP, Turkey’s founding party. Erdoğan himself has not yet commented on the events.
Source: www.sueddeutsche.de
