Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party today, firing tear gas and breaking through barricades to evict the ousted leadership.
Officers forced their way into the Republican People’s Party building as clouds of gas engulfed the structure. Inside, shouts rang out and objects were thrown at the advancing police.
The violent raid follows a Thursday ruling by Turkey’s Constitutional Court annulling the results of the party’s 2023 convention, which elected Özgür Özel as chairman. The court cited “irregularities in the elections” and ordered the reinstatement of former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who lost to President Erdogan in the general election that same year. Following the ruling, the governor of Ankara ordered the headquarters evacuated.
The ousted party leadership, led by Özel, condemned the court’s decision as a “judicial coup.” Özel himself released a video message during the raid in which he said: “We are under attack,” and vowed to continue the fight. Analysts view the move as a test of Turkish democracy and believe it could pave the way for extending Erdogan’s rule, which is set to end in 2028.
Meanwhile, the Turkish government denies criticism that it is using the courts to target political rivals, claiming the judiciary is independent. State media reported yesterday that 13 people were arrested as part of an investigation into the 2023 party convention, suspected of various offenses including bribery and money laundering.