Opposition leader in Turkey undergoes assault in Istanbul
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A scuffle broke out during a somber moment in Istanbul, as the leader of Turkey's main opposition party, Özgür Özel, was targeted by an attacker at a funeral ceremony. The incident, captured on video, shows Özel wincing after being struck on the forehead by an open hand, before being quickly escorted to safety by his bodyguards.
The assailant, a gray-haired man in jeans and a leather jacket, was promptly apprehended by Özel's security personnel and later handed over to the police. Turkish authorities have identified the attacker as S.T., a 66-year-old man with a checkered past.
Rbc.group reports that S.T. had a history of violence, having served time for murdering two of his children and hurting two others in 2004. He was sentenced to life imprisonment but was set free on parole in 2020. Furthermore, he has a record of theft and making threats.
In an interview, S.T. claimed his animosity was fueled by the CHP's refusal to grant him a food card, even though he was not a party member. Despite his initial intentions, he admitted that his anger boiled over when he arrived at the scene, suggesting he had not initially planned to attack Özel.
Interestingly, the opposition alliance voted to nominate the popular Mayor of Istanbul as their presidential candidate, making the assault on Özel all the more significant. Özel, who succeeded to the leadership position in 2023, has seen a surge in the party's popularity following the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on charges of bribery last March.
According to recent surveys, the CHP remains Turkey's most supported political party, with around 33.1% of the votes[1]. The unrest in the country, demanding early elections and numerous anti-government protests, appears to have solidified the party's base[5]. However, political turmoil continues to loom large over the nation, with over 2,000 arrests linked to opposition protests[4].
Sidenote:The Republican People's Party (CHP) is currently led by Özgür Özel, who took up the position during an extraordinary congress on April 6, 2025[5]. Amid growing political tensions, the CHP has gained popularity, with mainstream polls indicating their support at 33.1%[1], compared to the AKP's 30.2%[1]. This surge in popularity comes after impressive performances in the 2024 local elections, where the CHP secured the highest national vote share[5], and Ekrem İmamoğlu's emphatic re-election as Istanbul mayor[3]. Despite the escalating protests and calls for early elections, over 2,000 detentions linked to opposition demonstrations continue to unsettle the political climate in Turkey[4].
- The attack on Özgür Özel, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party CHP, during a funeral ceremony has added a new layer to the ongoing political turmoil in Turkey.
- Reports revealed that the attacker, who later claimed his animosity was fueled by the CHP's refusal to grant him a food card, had a history of violence and was previously served time for murder and other crimes.
- Despite the escalating protests and detentions linked to opposition demonstrations, the CHP remains Turkey's most supported political party, with around 33.1% of the votes, according to recent surveys.
- In the midst of political tension, the CHP has gained significant popularity, with the general elections slated for 2023, and the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of bribery last March playing a major role in this surge.
