Riot Police Clash with Opposition CHP Supporters in Istanbul after Court Ruling

Riot police walk outside the Istanbul provincial office of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), as CHP supporters gather near the office, after a recent court ruling that ousted the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 8, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Acikgoz

Riot police clashed with supporters of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Monday after a court ruling removed its Istanbul provincial leadership, as reported by Reuters.

Outside the party’s provincial office, police used pepper spray and detained protesters as hundreds gathered to oppose the decision. Inside, CHP lawmakers piled tables and chairs to block entry.

«Today, they are not only trying to evacuate the building from CHP supporters here, but they are actually attempting to dismantle democracy,» said CHP MP Gokhan Gunaydin in a live broadcast from behind the barricade.

Supporters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), clash with riot police outside the CHP Istanbul provincial office, after a recent court ruling that ousted the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 8, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatos Erdogan

Last week, a court ordered the removal of Istanbul provincial head Ozgur Celik over alleged irregularities and named former deputy chair Gursel Tekin as interim leader. The CHP rejected the ruling as «null and void,» saying Tekin had been expelled from the party.

Tekin arrived at the office under police escort, telling reporters: «I am not working for the state. I will help solve the CHP’s problems.»

Supporters of ousted province head and supporters of trustee of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), confront after a recent court ruling that ousted the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 8, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

The standoff comes amid a year-long crackdown on the CHP, with hundreds of members arrested. The party says the moves are designed to weaken the opposition ahead of elections, while the government insists the judiciary is independent.

A supporter of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), reacts to tear gas as people try to pass by the police barricade to reach the CHP Istanbul provincial office, after a recent court ruling that ousted the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 8, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dilara Acikgoz

Access to major social media platforms, including X, Instagram and YouTube, was restricted in Turkey during the protests, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.

People protest as police officers block the road leading to the Istanbul provincial office of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), as supporters of CHP try to reach the office, after a recent court ruling that ousted the CHP’s Istanbul provincial leadership, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 8, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence stemming from past conviction.