ISTANBUL - The police intervened with tear gas against Republican People's Party (CHP) supporters protesting the arrival of Gursel Tekin, who was appointed as trustee of CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairship, to the provincial building. 10 people were detained during the blockade of the vigil and the resistance of CHP members also continues. 

 

Following the appointment of Gursel Tekin as trustee, CHP Istanbul Provincial Directorate was blockaded by the police yesterday. The roads leading to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Office on Azerbaijan Street were blocked with barriers and CHP members were not allowed to enter the building. CHP Procincial Chair Ozgur Çelik, members and opposite parties' members visited the sit-in outside the provincial building. 

 

POLICE INTERVENTION 

 

While the vigil of CHP supporters continued today despite the rain, police intervention started immediately after Tekin's message "I'm on my way going to CHP building" on his virtual media account. As Tekin apprached the building, the police intervened the protesters. During the intervention, a short-lived brawl broke out and 10 people were detained.

 

TENSION IN FRONT OF THE PROVINCIAL BUILDING

 

Journalists, politicians and citizens were not allowed to enter the provincial building while the police intervened with pepper gas against the citizens.Upon the arrival of Gürsel Tekin and the accompanying delegation to the provincial building accompanied by police officers, tension broke out between Tekin's supporters and CHP supporters who were blockading the provincial building. Meanwhile, CHP supporters chanted slogans "Ozgur President".

 

WATER BOTTLE THROWN

 

After getting out of his car, Tekin was met with protests and responded to the citizens throwing water bottles at him by saying, "Water is good, it is abundance." Tekin also said to the crowd in front of the provincial building, "They are not CHP members." Tekin made a statement in front of the provincial building and then entered the provincial building accompanied by the police. 

 

CHP REACTS TO TEKIN: A SHAMEFUL PICTURE

 

CHP Group Deputy Chair Ali Mahir Basarır said about Tekin's statements: "It means that no fear in life is like the fear of those who sell the people. If you sell the people, you will be travelling with umbrellas and bodyguards and you cannot enter your father's house with your head held high. He says 'no one here is from the CHP'. Everyone here is not CHP members like him; they are honourable CHP members. This is a shameful picture," he said. 

 

Citizens who were at the entrance of Vadistanbul Shopping Centre close to the provincial building came towards Azerbaijan Street where CHP members were blockaded. Here the police intervened the citizens with pepper gas. Some citizens collapsed due to being affected by pepper gas. 

 

'AKP WILL ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE'

 

Citizens were removed by the police and frequently chanted slogans such as "The day will come, AKP will answer to the people". 

 

'5,000 POLICE ON DUTY AT THE PROVINCIAL BUILDING'

 

CHP Group Deputy Chair Ali Mahir Başarır described the latest situation in the building as follows: "I have difficulty speaking and breathing. Gürsel Tekin has found a middle ground with the palace and Mr Tayyip. He surrendered his will there. He said 'I will not come with the police'. Then he waited for the police to release the people with gas and violence and entered here. In the corridors, everywhere, 5 thousand police are on duty. Barricades have been set up. At the moment, our MPs are everywhere, we are evaluating."

 

WAITING CONTINUES

 

Mayor of Adalar Ercan Akpolat, Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Co-Chair Murat Çepni and party executives are still waiting in front of the police blockade to enter the provincial building.

 

On the other hand, it is learned that DEM Party Istanbul MP Kezban Konukçu and DEM Party Istanbul provincial executives will also attend the vigil in the evening.