Turkish riot police used tear gas on Sunday, May 24, 2026 [1], to force the ousted leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) from their headquarters.
The operation marks a significant escalation in the political crisis surrounding the party's leadership and underscores the Turkish government's use of judicial orders to dismantle opposition structures.
Security forces entered the CHP headquarters to evict Ozgur Ozel and his team after a Turkish court ousted Ozel from his position [2]. The police intervention was designed to enforce the court's decision by removing the former leadership from the premises [3].
During the operation, riot police deployed tear gas to break into the building and secure the exit of the ousted officials [4]. Despite the use of force and the chaotic nature of the eviction, there were no reports of injuries during the intervention [5].
The Republican People's Party is one of the primary opposition forces in Turkey. The removal of Ozel and his team by force follows a legal battle over the legitimacy of the party's leadership, which has left the organization in a state of internal turmoil.
Government officials said the police were acting to uphold the rule of law and implement the court's mandate. The ousted leaders had previously resisted leaving the headquarters, leading to the Sunday confrontation [2].
“Turkish riot police used tear gas on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to force the ousted leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) from their headquarters.”
The forced eviction of Ozgur Ozel suggests a narrowing of the political space for the CHP. By utilizing the judiciary to remove party leaders and then employing riot police to enforce those rulings, the Turkish state is demonstrating a low tolerance for opposition resistance to court mandates, potentially destabilizing the party's ability to organize as a cohesive political alternative.
