24.05.2026 12:00
Speaking after the scuffle and evacuation tension in front of the CHP headquarters, Özgür Özel announced that a basis for dialogue has been established with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu regarding the congress. However, Özel claimed that since the morning hours, "mafia-like groups" had come to the headquarters and attempted to forcibly seize the building, alleging that some individuals were carrying guns and knives. Özel also stated that they tried to prevent young people from confronting these individuals, adding that the crowd in front of the headquarters was growing.
Following the morning clashes and evacuation tension in front of the CHP Headquarters, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made striking statements. Speaking to Saygı Öztürk, Ankara Representative of Sözcü Media Group, Özel claimed that a basis for discussion with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu regarding the congress had been established, but that the headquarters was approached with "mafia-like groups."
"WE DECIDED TO MEET WITH MR. KEMAL"
Özgür Özel described the details of his meeting with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, stating: "We are currently waiting at the Headquarters. Mr. Kemal had said, 'Mr. Özgür was supposed to call me.' We spoke the day before yesterday, and I said, 'Let me evaluate with our Party Assembly members and MPs,' and we did. I then conveyed the resulting picture to him."
Özel stated that both sides had appointed representatives to discuss holding the congress as soon as possible.
BOTH SIDES APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES
In his statement, Özel said: "We agreed that 'colleagues can come together' to discuss holding a congress as quickly as possible. We spoke for around noon today and made an appointment with Mr. Kemal. I appointed two names: Suat Özçağdaş and Murat Emir. Mr. Kemal also appointed two names: Orhan Sarıbal and Mahir Polat. They were supposed to meet today at 12:00."
"THEY CAME TO THE DOOR FROM 07:00 IN THE MORNING"
However, Özel argued that the events in front of the CHP Headquarters from the morning hours changed the entire process.
Özel stated: "But you have seen what happened in front of our Headquarters from 07:00 this morning. Let me describe it: With mafia-like groups who are not CHP members, working as bodyguards in various bars in Ankara, and with notorious figures, they came to the door and tried to enter. Our colleagues did not allow this and locked the doors."
"THEY ARE TRYING TO SEIZE IT BY BULLYING METHODS"
Özgür Özel claimed that while seeking a basis for discussion on the congress, an attempt was being made to forcibly seize the headquarters.
In his statement, Özel said: "The main problem here is this: We, with Mr. Kemal, said colleagues would sit down, talk, and we have a request for a congress as soon as possible. While we said we would talk to everyone under these conditions, they are coming and trying to forcibly seize this place by bullying methods, with mafia-like types on one side and the police behind them, without discussing the congress."
"THERE ARE THOSE CARRYING GUNS AND KNIVES"
Using striking expressions regarding the crowd in front of the headquarters, Özel also claimed that some individuals were carrying guns and knives. Özel said, "Some of the people outside have guns and knives. Strange types... We are trying not to bring our youth face to face with them. That's the main problem. Right now, the crowds in front of the Headquarters are increasing."
TENSION ESCALATES IN CHP
Following the clashes, police activity, and mutual statements that have been ongoing since the morning hours in front of the CHP Headquarters, the crisis within the party has deepened further.
While the Kılıçdaroğlu camp demands the implementation of the court decision, the Özgür Özel camp argues that the headquarters is being 'forcibly seized.' It is being discussed in party circles that the coming hours are critical.