17.02.2026 19:31
Claims that the bridges on the Istanbul Bosphorus will be privatized led to the CHP's attempt to organize a march from Ortaköy to Arnavutköy, which was banned by the governor's office; tension arose in the area surrounded by police control and water cannons, and the provincial chairman Özgür Çelik was stopped just as he wanted to start the march.
The claim that the bridges on the Istanbul Bosphorus will be privatized was met with a planned march from Ortaköy to Arnavutköy by the CHP, which was banned by the governor's decision.
POLICE TOOK EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES
Before the march, which was scheduled to start at 5:00 PM today, all streets in Ortaköy were closed off with police barricades. As party members gathered in the area, hundreds of police took control of the region. It was observed that riot police units, as well as water cannons, were deployed in the area.
NO RESULTS FROM NEGOTIATIONS
Özgür Çelik, the CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman, wanted to start the march with party members after a press statement. However, law enforcement officials informed them that the march would not be permitted.
Despite the ban, the CHP members continued to wait in the area with slogans, while negotiations with the police also continued. According to the information obtained, no results were achieved from the discussions led by Çelik. Consequently, it was decided to evacuate the crowd from the area under police control. The parties began to leave the area from designated points.
ÖZGÜR ÇELİK WAS STOPPED
During the evacuation, Özgür Çelik and a small group accompanying him were stopped by the police as they tried to leave the blockade. Çelik reacted to their obstruction, claiming that they were walking on the sidewalk and wanted to go to their vehicles. A brief tension occurred at the scene.