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Reinstated Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer, Celal Celik, submitted a petition Sunday to the Ankara Provincial Police Department requesting the handover of CHP headquarters following the appeals court ruling appointing Kilicdaroglu as party chairman.
In the petition, Celik stated, "We request that the necessary procedures be carried out regarding the delivery of the Party Headquarters to our side.”
Meanwhile, the Ankara Governor’s Office announced that it had instructed the Ankara Police Department to implement the evacuation of CHP headquarters following Kilicdaroglu’s application.
Police intervention to clear the headquarters is expected during the day, while police forces have already been deployed around the party building.
The developments came after Kilicdaroglu’s lawyers and several lawmakers who arrived at CHP headquarters in the morning were reportedly denied entry following the appeals court ruling annulling the CHP congress and reinstating former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim party leader.
The congress dispute escalated into clashes at CHP headquarters as supporters aligned with suspended CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel reportedly barricaded the building and prevented Kilicdaroglu supporters arriving for the handover process from entering.
Arguments between the two groups later turned into scuffles and physical confrontations, according to reports.
Kilicdaroglu’s lawyer subsequently submitted a written request to the Ankara Provincial Police Department seeking the evacuation and transfer of the headquarters.
It was learned that Celik had already submitted a petition to the police the previous day and filed a second request following the latest developments.
The petition stated:
“Although the authority to represent the CHP belongs to Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his administration pursuant to the decision of the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice and the notification documents issued in the file of the Ankara 3rd General Enforcement Office, the former party officials have persistently failed to vacate the headquarters.
Despite all constructive initiatives and efforts by lawmakers to establish dialogue, even members of parliament were not allowed into the headquarters. Furthermore, despite prolonged attempts to establish constructive communication, no result was achieved. Therefore, we request that the necessary procedures be carried out for the delivery of the Party Headquarters to our side.”
The Ankara Governor’s Office said:
“Pursuant to the decision of the 36th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice dated May 21, 2026, numbered 2026/32 Basis and 2026/658 Decision, and the notification documents issued within the file numbered 2026/33826 of the Ankara 3rd General Enforcement Office, CHP representative lawyer Celal Celik informed the Ankara Police Department that the court ruling had not been implemented.
CHP representative lawyer Celal Celik requested that the CHP headquarters be delivered to the authorized parties based on the court decision.
The Ankara Police Department has been instructed regarding the implementation of the court ruling.”
Buses were seen positioned inside the headquarters courtyard while security measures around the building were increased.
Scuffles also reportedly broke out between figures close to Kilicdaroglu and CHP members inside the headquarters.
The Ozgur Ozel camp had earlier called on party members to resist following the “absolute nullity” ruling and reportedly introduced internal measures inside the headquarters building.
Elevators and internal doors were closed to use, while barriers were placed in corridors to block possible access routes.
The overnight standoff escalated during the morning hours when a group arriving to support Kilicdaroglu became involved in a verbal dispute with party members maintaining a watch inside the building.
The confrontation later turned physical, after which party members known to be close to Kilicdaroglu were reportedly removed from the headquarters area.
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The developments come after a Turkish court ordered the main opposition CHP to organize a new congress after annulling the party’s 2023 leadership vote over allegations of irregularities.
On Nov. 4-5, 2023, Ozgur Ozel defeated Kemal Kilicdaroglu to become CHP chairman.
Following the congress, CHP delegates and former Hatay Mayor Lutfu Savas filed lawsuits seeking annulment of the vote, alleging vote buying, political favors and procedural irregularities.
Ankara prosecutors later launched an investigation into alleged vote manipulation, while CHP denied the allegations and submitted its defense.
In May 2026, the court ruled the CHP congress legally invalid under the principle of “absolute nullity,” temporarily reinstating Kilicdaroglu’s pre-congress administration to organize a new congress.
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