Story perspectives

Court Ousts Özel, Restores Kiliçdaroglu; Police Raid CHP HQ

5/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

An appeals court annulled Özgür Özel’s election as CHP chair and reinstated former leader Kemal Kiliçdaroglu.
Following the governor’s authorization, riot police stormed the Republican People’s Party headquarters, tear gas and rubber bullets removing Özel and his supporters.
No injuries were reported during the raid, although doors, furniture and windows were damaged.
Özel led supporters in a march to parliament, pledging to continue street protests after leaving the headquarters.

History

Historical Context

The 28 February 1997 National Security Council memorandum, led by Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi, forced Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan’s Islamist coalition to resign. This “post-modern coup” follows a pattern of military interventions in Turkey—including the 1960, 1971, 1980 coups and the 2007 e-memorandum—showing the armed forces’ long-standing role as guardian of secularism.

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Story summary

An appeals court annulled Özgür Özel’s election as CHP chair and reinstated former leader Kemal Kiliçdaroglu.
Following the governor’s authorization, riot police stormed the Republican People’s Party headquarters, tear gas and rubber bullets removing Özel and his supporters.
No injuries were reported during the raid, although doors, furniture and windows were damaged.
Özel led supporters in a march to parliament, pledging to continue street protests after leaving the headquarters.

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