Members of the most important Turkish opposition party CHP have blocked the door of the head office in Istanbul with chairs and tables. They want to prevent the replacement for a dismissed officer from entering. In front of the entrance, demonstrators clashed with police officers.
A court in Istanbul ruled last week that provincial head Özgur Çelik of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) had to be dismissed for alleged “irregularities”. The judge set Gursel Tekin as his temporary replacement. He is the former Vice -President of CHP and has already been put out of the party.
The opposition party is the largest rival of the Party and Development Party (AKP) of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. CHP promised that nobody would take over the position of Çelik and called the judgment of the court “void and invalid”.
Nevertheless, Tekin decided to enter his new position on Monday. He could count on a lot of protest. Inside the building, opposition members had piled up chairs and tables up to the ceiling to block access to his office.
Police officers have evacuated around fifty party members via the stairwell. They used PepperSpray to get the people out of the building, a witnesses told Reuters news agency.
The roads around the head office have been barricaded since Sunday evening by wide rows of police officers and cars. Protesters were directly opposed to the police formation, which resulted in a confrontation. The police have arrested several protesters and used PepperSpray.
Hundreds of party members arrested
In the past year, hundreds of party members of CHP have been arrested and placed in prison, mainly on suspicion of corruption. The party denies the accusations and says it is a political move to eliminate Erdogan’s opposition.
In March, for example, the popular mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu was still arrested. He is suspected of membership of a criminal organization, bribery and fraud. Imamoglu denies the accusations and calls his arrest politically motivated. He is seen as an important challenger of Erdogan.
Members of the Main Turkish Opposition Party CHP Have Blocked the Door of the Headquarters in Istanbul with Chairs and Tables. They want to prevent the replacement of a dismissed official from entering. Demonstrators Clashed with Police Officers at the Entrance.
A Court in Istanbul Ruled Last Week that Provincial Head Özgur Çelik of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Should Be Dismissed for Alleged “Irregularities”. The Judge Appointed Gursel Tekin as his temporary replacement. He is the Former Vice-Chairman of CHP and Has PreviOutly Been Expelled from the Party.
The Opposition Party is the Biggest Rival of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) or Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. CHP Promized that no one would take over çelik’s position and called the court’s ruling “null and void”.
Yet Tekin decided to take office in His new position on Monday. He was with with a lot of protest. Inside the Building, Opposition Members had Piled Chairs and Tables Up to the Ceiling to Block Access to his Office.
Police Officers Have Evacuated About Fifty Party Members via The Stairwell. They used pepper spray to get people out of the building, a witness tells news agency reuters .
The Roads Around the Headquarters Have Been Barricaded by Wide Rows of Police Officers and Vehicles Since Sunday Evening. Demonstrators Lined Up Directly Against the Police Formation, which resulted in a confrontation. The Police Have arrested Several Demonstrators and Used Pepper Spray.
Hundreds of Party Members arrested
In the Past Year, Hundreds of CHP Party Members Have Been arrested and Imprisoned, Mainly on Suspicion of Corruption. The Party Denies The Accusations and Says It is a Political Move to Eliminate Erdogan’s Opposition.
For Example, The Popular Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested in March. He is suspended of membership or a criminal organization, bribery and fraud. Imamoglu Denies The Accusations and Calls His judgment Political Motivated. He is SEEN as an important Challenger to Erdogan.