Turkish police raid CHP offices after court voids opposition leadership result

Published by Albis · 30 May 2026

Turkey’s main opposition CHP has been thrown into crisis after a court annulled its 2023 leadership vote, restored former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and police forced their way into party headquarters

• • The crackdown deepens concerns about democratic competition, court independence and political space in a major regional power.
• • Riot police forced their way into Turkey’s main opposition CHP headquarters in Ankara three days after a court ruling voided the party’s 2023 leadership result, according to RFI.
• • The officers used pepper spray and batons to remove Ozgur Ozel, the CHP leader ousted by the decision.
• • The 21 May court ruling scrapped Ozel’s 2023 election as party leader and restored former CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, RFI reported.