Ekrem İmamoğlu Condemns Police Blockade of CHP Provincial Headquarters

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who remains in detention, has strongly criticized the events that unfolded outside the CHP Istanbul Provincial Headquarters, where police used force to block party members from entering the building.

In a statement shared on his social media account, İmamoğlu described the situation as an “unlawful intervention” and warned that such actions would bring nothing but chaos to the country.

“This Is a National Issue”

İmamoğlu argued that the standoff in front of the CHP building was not merely a partisan matter, but a threat to the country’s democratic fabric:

“I have been following with great sadness and concern what has been happening outside our CHP Istanbul Provincial Headquarters since last night. On what legal basis are you preventing our members from entering their own provincial building—their home? For what purpose are our police, who should be focused on public safety, being used to blockade a political party?”

He went further, framing the events as a challenge to the Republic and democracy itself:
“End this unlawfulness immediately. Stop further breaking the hope of the people, stop further impoverishing the nation, and stop dragging the country into new chaos every day. I call on all political parties and their leaders: do not turn a blind eye to these unlawful interventions against our Republic and our democracy. This is no longer about individuals or parties, it is a national issue.”

Police Blockade and Rising Tensions

The controversy erupted after a court decision installed Gürsel Tekin as trustee to lead CHP’s Istanbul Provincial Organization. Police surrounded the party headquarters, blocking entry, while lawmakers and citizens who gathered in defiance of the move were met with tear gas.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office had already banned all outdoor demonstrations in central districts between September 7–10, but opposition members insist that the ban is being used as a pretext for silencing dissent.

Opposition Calls for Solidarity

İmamoğlu’s remarks were also a call for solidarity across the political spectrum. By urging all parties to oppose what he described as unlawful state overreach, he sought to reframe the standoff as a threat not just to CHP, but to Turkish democracy as a whole.

His statement reflects growing concern within the opposition that the government’s approach to political disputes risks deepening polarization and undermining democratic institutions.

Broader Political Fallout

The ongoing crisis has raised questions about the future of CHP’s Istanbul organization and Turkey’s wider political landscape. Analysts warn that the combination of court rulings, trustee appointments, and police interventions could escalate tensions further in the run-up to local elections.

For İmamoğlu, the symbolism is especially sharp: as Istanbul’s elected mayor, now detained, he is framing the battle over the CHP provincial headquarters as a litmus test for rule of law, democracy, and political freedom in Turkey.

Conclusion: Democracy Under Strain

Ekrem İmamoğlu’s sharp condemnation adds a new layer to the already tense standoff in Istanbul. His call for unity across political lines frames the events not just as a conflict between government and opposition, but as a defining struggle over the principles of law, democracy, and national stability.

With police blockades, party members barred from their headquarters, and accusations of unlawful intervention, Turkey’s political crisis shows no sign of easing. The coming days will reveal whether opposition solidarity can turn İmamoğlu’s warning into political momentum, or whether the blockade will further entrench divisions.