Turkish police fire teargas to break up protest after opposition leader ousted
Summary
Turkish police used teargas and water cannons to break up a protest in Izmir led by Özgür Özel, who was recently removed from his position as leader of the main opposition party, CHP. The protest followed a court ruling that overturned the 2023 party primary results, reinstating the previous leader and causing unrest within the party.Key Facts
- Özgür Özel was ousted after a court overturned the 2023 CHP party primary that had elected him leader.
- Police used teargas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Izmir during a rally organized by Özel.
- The CHP’s headquarters in Ankara was stormed by riot police days earlier, where officers used force against party members.
- The court ruling reinstated the former CHP leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
- CHP is Turkey’s oldest political party and has recently gained support in local elections against President Erdoğan’s AKP party.
- The court case cited vote-buying allegations, but earlier lower court rulings found no strong evidence.
- Opposition politicians, including Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have faced imprisonment amid political tensions.
- Özel called for a new party congress to allow members to freely choose their leader.
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