Turkish Police Storm Opposition Party HQ, Fires Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets at Supporters
The Gateway Pundit
Last updated: May 25, 2026
Turkish police forcibly entered the headquarters of the main opposition CHP party, using tear gas and rubber bullets against supporters and officials. This action concluded a three-day standoff following an appeals court ruling that nullified the election of the party's current chair, Ozgur Ozel.
- The police intervention occurred after an appeals court decision invalidated Ozgur Ozel's 2023 election as CHP chairperson.
- The court mandated that Ozel be replaced by Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the former party leader who had held the position for 13 years without achieving national election victories.
- Ozel and members of the party's executive board were suspended by the court's ruling, leading to rising tensions since Thursday.
- Supporters and officials had barricaded themselves inside the party headquarters for three days in protest of the court's decision.
- During the police raid, tear gas and rubber bullets were deployed, resulting in the destruction of doors, furniture, and ground-floor windows.
- Journalists present at the scene were subsequently removed by the police.
- Initial resistance from supporters, using fire extinguishers, was quickly overcome by the riot police.
- Ozgur Ozel was compelled to vacate the party headquarters, vowing to return.
