26.05.2026 12:50
The governorship did not permit the rally planned by Özgür Özel, who was temporarily removed from his position as CHP Chairman by the court, to be held at İzmir Republic Square. Police intervened in the crowd gathered in the area. Saying, "We will greet and exchange holiday wishes with party members. They are scared, they have cordoned off the square, there is no need for such a thing," Özel began walking with the crowd towards Gündoğdu Square.
The entrances to the rally area planned by Özgür Özel at İzmir's Cumhuriyet Square were closed with police barriers. Numerous TOMA vehicles and law enforcement personnel were deployed to the area.
CHP Group Chairman Özgür Özel announced yesterday that he would hold a rally in İzmir before heading to Manisa to spend Eid al-Adha. It was learned that the İzmir Governor's Office did not permit the planned rally at Cumhuriyet Square, citing that 'Cumhuriyet Square is not a rally area.' It was stated that the rally could be held at Gündoğdu Square. However, Özel's team decided not to change the rally location.
ENTRANCES BLOCKED WITH BARRIERS
Consequently, the entrances to Cumhuriyet Square were closed with barriers, and citizens were not allowed into the area. Numerous TOMA vehicles and riot police were seen around the square. Police intervened in the gathered crowd.
ÖZEL: NO NEED FOR PERMISSION APPLICATION
Özgür Özel, arriving in İzmir, said in a statement about the rally, 'My friends said they wanted to exchange greetings rather than a welcome at the airport. There is no planned rally, so there is no need for a permission application. We will greet and exchange holiday greetings with party members. That square is right next to our provincial headquarters; they got scared and surrounded the square; there is no need for such a thing. We go wherever the people wait for us.'