Lauge Risom Koch 
Turkish police stormed the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party after supporters barricaded the building in protest against a court ruling removing party leaders.
Turkish police forced their way into the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party after supporters barricaded the building in protest against a court decision removing party leaders.
The confrontation has intensified accusations that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is tightening authoritarian control ahead of future elections.
Police intervention
According to Digi24, citing AFP, Reuters and Agerpres, hundreds of police officers entered the Ankara headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Sunday.
Supporters of CHP leader Ozgur Ozel had blocked access to the building earlier in the day after a court ruling dismissed party leadership figures.
Police equipped with helmets and shields reportedly used tear gas and force to clear the building.
Authorities then removed opposition leaders from the headquarters.
Opposition outrage
“They stormed our headquarters (…), used tear gas, beat us with sticks, devastated the party building and threw us into the street,” Ozel told AFP.
“Erdogan has lost his mind,” he added.
According to Digi24, Ozel accused the Turkish president of attempting to control political rivals in order to secure victory in future elections.
“Turkey has ceased to be a modern democratic republic and has transformed into an authoritarian regime,” he said.
March to parliament
After leaving the headquarters, Ozel addressed supporters gathered outside the building.
He vowed to continue “marching towards power” before leading supporters on foot through heavy rain toward the Turkish parliament.
According to reports, Ozel described parliament as “the real headquarters of the party” following the police operation.
The CHP remains Turkey’s largest opposition movement and a major critic of Erdogan’s government.
Growing tensions
The incident follows months of investigations and arrests involving opposition figures across Turkey.
According to AFP and Reuters, similar scenes occurred in Istanbul last year when authorities appointed an administrator to oversee the CHP’s provincial leadership.
Critics accuse Erdogan’s government of increasingly using the judiciary and security forces against political opponents.
The Turkish government has repeatedly denied allegations of political interference in the courts, reports Digi24.
Sources: Digi24, AFP, Reuters, Agerpres
