Police Enforces Ban on Demonstrations as Opposition Headquarters in Istanbul is Blocked

The atmosphere in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, has become increasingly tense as supporters of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), protest against the removal of local party leadership. In response, police have completely cordoned off the area surrounding the party's headquarters in the Sariyer district.

Despite the police presence, demonstrators gathered and attempted to break through the barricades, according to reports from local media. The governor of Istanbul, appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has imposed a three-day ban on demonstrations in several districts.

CHP leader Özgür Özel called on his supporters in a speech on Sunday evening to march to the party headquarters, emphasizing the importance of defending the party and, by extension, the republic itself. The CHP has been under pressure for several months and claims to be a target of politically motivated actions by the government.

The recent unrest was triggered by a court ruling mandating the removal of the entire CHP leadership in Istanbul due to alleged irregularities during a party congress two years ago. The court's decision has led to the appointment of a state administrator to take over party operations.

The CHP is mobilizing protests to prevent the appointed administrator and their team from assuming control of the party's Istanbul headquarters. Additionally, a hearing scheduled for September 15 could also threaten the position of party leader Özel.

This situation echoes events from March when Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a rival of Erdogan, was arrested and ousted on charges related to corruption, sparking nationwide protests. Imamoglu is viewed as a potential challenger to Erdogan in future elections, heightening tensions surrounding the administration's actions.

Critics accuse Erdogan's government of suppressing political opposition through authoritarian measures and manipulating the judiciary to eliminate rivals. The government, however, denies these allegations.

Özel previously accused Erdogan of seeking approval from former U.S. President Donald Trump for Imamoglu's arrest. The opposition perceives the campaign against the CHP as a strategic effort to weaken their position ahead of upcoming elections, particularly in light of the CHP's surprising success in the last local elections where it secured a majority of mayoral offices across the country.

In the aftermath, numerous opposition mayors have been detained, further escalating the political climate in Turkey.