Protest Erupts at Istanbul Opposition Headquarters

Police cordoned off streets in Istanbul as protests broke out outside the local headquarters of Türkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). Rally participants are being accused of “stirring up society,” Orda.kz reports, citing Hurriyet.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that an investigation has been launched into both the protests and social media posts deemed provocative by the authorities.

According to Turkish media, the mass protest took place on the night of September 8 after the court removed the elected CHP chair in Istanbul, Özgür Çelik, and the entire leadership of the branch. In their place, a temporary council was appointed under the leadership of former MP Gürsel Tekin.

The reason for this decision was accusations of bribery of delegates to the 2023 party conference.

The CHP youth wing called supporters to gather at 11 p.m., but the Istanbul governor had already imposed a three-day ban on rallies and marches. Police blocked approaches to the building, yet protesters still converged on the headquarters, chanting “Erdoğan is a dictator!” and “We are Ataturk’s soldiers!”

At one point, demonstrators broke into the office, but security forces forced them out, and clashes followed.

The unrest coincided with disruptions in the operation of Telegram, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and other social networks across Türkiye. Justice Minister Tunc urged citizens “not to destabilize society” and to respect the court’s decision, stressing that “calls for street protests that could provoke tensions are unacceptable.

Party leaders in particular must adhere to restrained and responsible rhetoric.”

The protests came amid broader turmoil following the March arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading CHP figure. His detention and the cancellation of his diploma have been widely described by supporters as an attempt to block him from entering the presidential race.

The authorities deny any political motive, though mass arrests and social media restrictions have been reported nationwide.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov