Turkish police raid CHP offices after court voids opposition leadership result

Last updated May 30, 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.
• Foreign Policy said the Ankara appeals court cited alleged vote-buying among delegates, suspended the party’s leadership and ordered Kilicdaroglu’s reinstatement.

Still unclear: What local readers are seeing from the ground

Based only on supplied evidence from RFI, Northlines, Foreign Policy and Reuters excerpt. Claims about police force, legal allegations and democratic-rights concerns are attributed to the cited sources in the packet.