In Izmir, Turkey, riot police were deployed to disperse an opposition rally called by former opposition leader Ozgur Ozel on Tuesday.

This action follows a court decision that dismissed Ozel from office just days prior.

The protest in Izmir occurred two days after similar scenes unfolded in the capital city of Ankara, where riot police forcefully entered the main headquarters of the opposition CHP party, firing tear gas and physically removing party members.

These events are part of a broader pattern of action against Turkey's oldest political party, the CHP, which saw significant electoral success against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AKP in 2024 local elections and has been gaining ground in recent polls.

The court decision was seen as part of an ongoing effort to weaken the opposition.

Ozel called for a party congress after the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which began on Wednesday, emphasizing that the issue at hand is about halting the CHP’s ascension to power.

The rally, marked by calls for freedom and waving Turkish flags, was met with heavy police presence in an attempt to contain the crowd.

Ozel criticized President Erdogan's actions, alleging a shift towards authoritarian rule.