Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party on Sunday after a controversial court ruling removed its leadership, escalating political tensions in the capital Ankara.
Security forces forced their way into the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) after party members barricaded entrances in protest against the court decision. Thick clouds of tear gas filled the area as clashes erupted between police and supporters inside the building.
Videos circulating on social media showed party members shouting, throwing objects and spraying hoses at riot police attempting to enter the premises.
CHP leader Özgür Özel had vowed to resist the appeal court ruling issued on Thursday, which declared his leadership invalid and ordered him to be replaced by veteran politician Kemal Kilicdaroğlu.
Kilicdaroğlu, 77, previously led the CHP and lost to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2023 presidential election.
Turkish media reported that representatives of Kilicdaroğlu requested police assistance to take control of the party headquarters, claiming they had been denied entry. Ankara’s governor later instructed police to enforce the court’s decision.
“We are under attack,” Özel said in a video message shared on social media as police moved into the building. Clashes were also reported between supporters of Özel and rival factions backing Kilicdaroğlu.
After emerging from the headquarters, Özel addressed crowds gathered outside, accusing authorities of trying to remove the opposition from politics.
“They tried to uproot and throw us out – to where?” he asked supporters before leading hundreds of demonstrators through the streets of Ankara towards the Turkish parliament.
The court ruling overturned an earlier 2025 lower court decision that had dismissed allegations of vote-buying during the CHP leadership election that brought Özel to power. The latest verdict effectively replaces the party’s executive leadership and casts doubt over the legality of decisions made under Özel’s administration.
Rights group Human Rights Watch warned that the Turkish government was using “abusive tactics” against the opposition and undermining democratic institutions.
Erdoğan, who has ruled Turkey since 2003 first as prime minister and later as president, has faced increasing criticism from opposition figures who accuse his government of suppressing political rivals.
Özel has repeatedly accused Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party of seeking to “eliminate its rivals” ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gürlek defended the court ruling, saying it strengthened public confidence in democracy and the rule of law.
Gürlek previously served as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor and oversaw investigations targeting opposition figures, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, widely viewed as Erdoğan’s strongest political challenger. Imamoğlu has remained in prison for more than a year on corruption charges, allegations his supporters insist are politically motivated.