The removal of Ozgur Özel from the presidency of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) is being sought by former President Kemal Kilicdaroglu following a court ruling.

Tensions escalated today after police intervened at the CHP headquarters to enforce a court ruling, which was triggered by Kemal Kilicdaroglu demanding the removal of Ozgur Ozel from the presidency. It should be noted that Ozgur Özel took over the CHP leadership after the Ekrem Imamoglu regime jailed Erdogan on allegations of involvement in scandals.

It should be noted that, Ozgur Ozel took over the leadership of the CHP. While the other contender for the party’s presidency – which holds its ideological and historical origins from Kemal Atatürk – Kemal Kilicdaroglu today again called for the implementation of the court decision of the 36th Political Division of the Ankara Court of Appeal to remove Ojgyur Özel.

Today’s incident

On hearing the presence of Turkish police outside the CHP building in Ankara, Ozghur Özel ordered the doors to be locked. Meanwhile, objects and water were thrown among the assembled people. The group, which included Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer, waited outside the building with the intention of entering it. Police forces entered the building after overcoming the barricades set up by the CHP building security, and pepper spray and plastic bullets were used during the intervention, resulting in the evacuation of the building.

Following the evacuation of the offices, Ozgur Özel announced that he was heading to the Turkish Vul, stating that the party would continue its activities “in the field.”

Kılıçdaroglu calls for compliance with court ruling

Kemal Kılıçdaroglu called on party cadres and public officials 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. Also, I request that there be no action or behavior that is contrary to organizational culture and discipline. Necessary measures will be taken for those who act contrary to the orders,” the former CHP chairman said.

Ozgur Ozel’s message to stay at the headquarters

CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, through a video posted on social media, said he will not leave the headquarters, calling it an “attack” on the party.

“We are at our family 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 last. We have no intention of raising a hand to the police. They can take our body, but they cannot take our struggle,” said Ozgur Ozel 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’s pro-Kilitsdaroglu message

Interviewing the developments, jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who hails from the CHP, also intervened as police entered the CHP headquarters, calling for a political reaction against those he said were seeking to hold on to power.

“Let’s give the answer they deserve to those who are clinging to the chair and power,” Ekrem Imamoglu said in a social media post.