Police have fired pepper spray and detained supporters of Turkiye’s main opposition party as crowds gathered outside the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Istanbul to protest against a court order removing a senior party official.

Footage from the scene on Monday showed protesters clashing with police before riot units pushed into the crowd. Demonstrators were seen clutching their eyes after being sprayed while officers led others away.

The confrontation came after a court ruled last week that Ozgur Celik, the CHP’s Istanbul provincial chairman, be replaced by Gursel Tekin, a former deputy party leader.

CHP national leader Ozgur Ozel dismissed the ruling as “null and void”, saying Tekin had been expelled from the party. Celik also insisted he would not hand over the

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