Scenes of acute tension erupted at the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Ankara following the court decision ousting President Ojgur Ozel, with clashes between supporters of Ojgur Ozel and Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The entrances to the building were locked, and objects and water were thrown among the gathering. The group, which includes Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer, is waiting outside to enter.
Police forces entered the building after overcoming the barricades set up by the CHP building security, and pepper spray was used during the intervention.
Evacuation request from the Kilicdaroglu side
The tension escalated after a request to evacuate the building from the former CHP president’s side. Following a letter from Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer, Jelal Chelik, to the police authorities to evacuate the building, police forces were directed to the party headquarters for security reasons and to implement the request.
Kilitsdaroglu: Calls for compliance with court ruling
Kemal Kilicdaroglu called on party officials and public servants to comply with the court ruling, while calling for avoiding actions that go against party discipline.
“I ask all Republican People’s Party organizations, as well as judicial officials, security personnel and all public officials acting in accordance with the decision of the 36th Political Division of the Ankara Court of Appeal, to comply with the provisions of the court decision. I also request that there be no action or behavior contrary to organizational culture and discipline. Necessary measures will be taken for those who act contrary to the orders,” the former CHP President said.
Ozghur Ozzel’s message to stay in office
CHP Chairman Ojgyur Ozel said via a video posted on social media that he will not leave the headquarters, calling it an “attack” on the party.
“We are at our ancestral home, at the CHP headquarters, at the headquarters that is Atatürk’s legacy. We are under attack. Not content with taking this illegal decision, they came to our door. Now they came with the police. They want to destroy this building and take it over. We’re not leaving here, I don’t know how long we can hold out. We have no intention of raising our hands to the police. They can take our body, but they cannot take our struggle,” he said in his message.
Representatives of the side supporting Kemal Kilicdaroglu claimed that consultations were held without result and that they were not allowed to enter the building.
Ekrem Imamoglu: “We must give an answer to the lovers of the chair and power”
Jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a CHP MP, also intervened in the developments as police entered the CHP headquarters, calling for a political reaction against those who, he said, seek to hold on to power.
“Let’s give the answer they deserve to those who are clinging to the chair and power,” he said in a social media post.
