Riot police in Turkey used water cannon on Tuesday to prevent people from gathering to hear a speech by the deposed leader of the country's main opposition party.
Özgür Özel and the core leadership of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) were removed from their posts on Thursday by a court order that many people consider to be politically motivated.
Özel had intended to address supporters on Tuesday in the western city of Izmir, but those heading to the city's Cumhuriyet Square found their way blocked by steel barriers and riot police.
Pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV showed many of the largely middle-aged crowd being soaked by water cannon as they tried to reach the square. Local media also reported that police deployed pepper spray.
The political crisis was sparked last week when an appeals court in Ankara overturned a 2023 party congress vote that appointed Özel as CHP leader. The court decision replaced him with his predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, sparking outrage among party supporters.
