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Police established a security perimeter around the Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul headquarters on Sunday night after a court temporarily removed the party's elected local leadership and appointed interim administrators, leading to gatherings by party members and exchanges between government officials and CHP leaders.
The standoff began when Istanbul's 45th Civil Court of First Instance issued a ruling on Tuesday that temporarily removed CHP Istanbul Chairman Ozgur Celik and the party's local boards from office, appointing a temporary committee in their place following allegations of irregularities during the party's Istanbul congress.
Two members of the court-appointed committee, Hasan Babacan and Mujdat Gurbuz, subsequently resigned from their positions.
Gursel Tekin, the selected CHP Istanbul Chairman, announced he would enter the party building on Monday, while the removed chairman Celik remained in the chairman's office on Sunday, posting on social media: "We will protect our people's house."
CHP youth organizations called for supporters to gather at the Istanbul headquarters on Sunday, prompting Istanbul Governor Davut Gul to announce a ban on demonstrations, meetings, press statements, marches, and commemorative events in six districts—Besiktas, Beyoglu, Eyupsultan, Kagithane, Sariyer, and Sisli—from 8 p.m. Sunday through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated, "Ignoring court decisions and trying to bring people to the streets is clearly challenging the law. No one is above the law. The state will decisively do what is necessary against any attempt contrary to law."
He added: "We will never allow street calls that disrupt public order and our nation's peace, or provoke the streets."
Governor Gul stated that "inviting citizens to illegal meetings and demonstrations or making calls in this direction legally constitutes a crime" and that "such attempts will clearly harm social peace."
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel fired back at the interior minister, denying any calls for violence while accusing authorities of creating a security problem.
"Neither I nor anyone from my party is inviting people to the streets or to violence," Ozel said.
"You are the ones preventing our party members from entering their own building, leaving people on the street, and thus creating a security problem by trying to pit the state's police against citizens with illegal orders," he added.
Ozel called the police blockade of the party headquarters "a violation of our home," adding: "The nation expects statesmanship from you, not perception operations. Do your job, follow the law, and immediately withdraw from in front of our building."
The CHP leader stated he was "doing his part so that no one's nose bleeds" and urged others to do the same.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas commented: "How can preventing our party members from entering our own party building, which is our party building, be explained? What decision could be the basis for this?"
Yavas stated that "in a real democracy, the judiciary is independent, the press is free, and citizens' rights are inviolable," adding "Justice is needed by everyone without exception, let's not forget!"
Police units closed roads leading to the CHP Istanbul headquarters on Sunday evening. Some interactions occurred between police and citizens attempting to reach the building.
Ozgur Celik, who was removed from office by the court decision, shared a photo from the chairman's office with the message: "We will protect our people's house."
CHP leader Ozel urged all party members to defend what he called "our father's house, Ataturk's house," stating: "Those who put our father's house under police siege should be ashamed. They should know that defending the CHP is defending the Republic."
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that Istanbul prosecutors initiated criminal investigations regarding events outside the CHP headquarters and social media posts.
"Respect for judicial decisions is mandatory for everyone. The rule of law is the guarantee of democratic order," Tunc stated. He added that "avoiding street calls that will create tension and unrest in society and everyone waiting calmly for the result of the judicial process is necessary."
The minister noted that CHP's appeals against the court decision in both the judicial system and to the Supreme Election Board were rejected.
Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) Chairman Ebubekir Sahin issued a statement to broadcasters: "Content that threatens public order, promotes violence, exploits social sensitivities, or could provoke masses, especially making calls for people to take to the streets, which would have very serious consequences, will not be permitted in any way."
Sahin stated that necessary sanctions would be applied to broadcasters violating regulations, including administrative fines, broadcast suspension and potentially license cancellation.
Users in Türkiye reported difficulties accessing social media platforms, including X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and WhatsApp, following Sunday's events.
NetBlocks, an organization monitoring internet restrictions worldwide, confirmed detecting restrictions on various social media platforms from Türkiye.
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