Turkey's Opposition Party Barricades Itself in Headquarters Amid Police Action

Turkey’s political crisis deepened on September 8, 2025, as the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) barricaded itself inside its Istanbul provincial headquarters following a police operation to enforce a controversial court order. The move, which saw police erect barricades and restrict access to the building, came after a court annulled the party’s 2023 provincial congress and installed a caretaker board, ousting the elected leadership. The CHP, which governs Istanbul and other major cities, denounced the intervention as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of future elections.

Party chairman Ozgur Ozel called on supporters to gather outside the headquarters, describing the police action as a “siege” and urging citizens to “protect the home of Ataturk in Istanbul.” The CHP’s youth wing also mobilized residents for demonstrations, while the party announced it would shift its provincial operations to another district office to maintain continuity.

The police response was forceful: officers used pepper spray inside the building, closed nearby streets, and enforced a temporary ban on public gatherings in six central districts. Authorities arrested at least three individuals over social media posts encouraging protests, with prosecutors investigating 24 accounts for “incitement to commit a crime.” Fourteen people were detained, and three were jailed pending trial, while others were released under judicial supervision. The crackdown extended to prominent figures, including writers and academics, and was part of a broader campaign that has seen hundreds of opposition members detained since the CHP’s sweeping local election victories in March 2024.

Legal and Political Escalation

The court’s decision to annul the CHP’s provincial congress and appoint a caretaker board followed allegations of irregularities, which the party denies. The CHP expelled veteran politician Gürsel Tekin after he accepted a role on the court-appointed board. The party maintains that the legal measures are politicized, designed to eliminate electoral threats to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party. The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, a key opposition figure, had already triggered the largest street protests in Turkey in a decade.

Internet Restrictions and Public Response

As tensions mounted, internet access to major platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp was throttled across Turkey, according to global internet monitor Netblocks. The restrictions began shortly after the CHP’s call for rallies, hampering the party’s ability to mobilize supporters and communicate updates. Turkey’s Access Providers Union, responsible for implementing such blocks, did not comment on the disruptions. The CHP and civil society groups condemned the move as an attempt to stifle dissent and limit coverage of the unfolding events.

The standoff at the CHP headquarters and the government’s sweeping measures have drawn concern from rights groups and international observers, who warn that the crackdown on opposition parties and curbs on free expression threaten Turkey’s democratic institutions. Markets have reacted nervously to the escalating political risk, with investors watching closely for further developments.