Turkish riot police stormed the main opposition party headquarters in Ankara on Sunday, firing tear gas and breaking through barricades, following a court ruling that nullified the leadership of Özgür Özel.
The operation targeted the Republican People's Party (CHP) building after the party vowed to defy an appeals court decision from Thursday declaring Özel's leadership invalid. The ruling orders his replacement by Kemal Kilicdaroğlu, whom Özel defeated in an internal election after Kilicdaroğlu lost the 2023 presidential race to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Özel posted a video message saying, "We are under attack," as officers entered. He later emerged unharmed and walked to parliament, vowing to take the fight to the streets and squares.
Human Rights Watch accused Erdoğan's government of undermining democracy with "abusive tactics" against the CHP. Özel has accused the president's AK party of trying to eliminate rivals.
Erdoğan, who has led Turkey since 2003, can only seek another presidential term if early elections are called before 2028 or the constitution is changed.
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said the ruling "reinforces our citizens' trust in democracy." The opposition party's entire executive is now replaced, and its recent decisions are no longer recognized by the state.