Law enforcement entities establish barricades around the opposition's central headquarters in Istanbul.

In a display of solidarity, supporters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) marched towards the party headquarters in Istanbul on Sunday, protesting against the government-led removal of the local CHP leadership in the city. The demonstration was sparked by a court ruling on Tuesday that removed the entire CHP leadership in Istanbul due to alleged irregularities at the party congress two years ago and ordered the appointment of a trustee.

The CHP, led by Özgür Özel, aims to prevent the trustee and his team from taking over the affairs at the Istanbul provincial headquarters on Monday. The government-appointed trustee has not been publicly named.

The latest tensions for the CHP were preceded by the arrest and removal of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, in March on corruption charges and other grounds. İmamoğlu, seen as a promising challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in future elections, has been a subject of nationwide protests.

In last year's local elections, the CHP achieved a surprising victory, winning the majority of mayoral seats in the country. The opposition views the action against the CHP as politically motivated, aiming to weaken the opposition ahead of future elections and prevent İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy.

The area around the CHP headquarters in Sariyer, Istanbul, was cordoned off by police. Protesters attempted to break through the barricades set up by the police. Halk TV reported on the demonstration in Istanbul.

Critics accuse Erdogan's government of using authoritarian methods to combat political opposition and having subjugated the country's judiciary. The governor of Istanbul, appointed by President Erdogan, imposed a three-day ban on demonstrations in several districts.

Özgür Özel, the CHP leader, said, "Whoever defends the Republican People's Party defends the Republic." The demonstration was a clear indication of the public's discontent with the government's actions against the CHP.

In a hearing on September 15, party leader Özel also faces removal. Since then, numerous opposition mayors have been detained. The CHP's struggle against the government-led actions serves as a testament to their commitment to upholding democratic values and principles in Turkey.