Protests Erupt in Istanbul, Clashes with Police Reported

Mass protests have begun in Istanbul, escalating into clashes between police officers and demonstrators on the streets.

The protests arose from the dissatisfaction of supporters of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) with the policies of Turkish President Erdoğan.

On the eve, Istanbul authorities banned rallies and demonstrations in six districts of the city, including the central ones. This decision will be in effect for more than three days.

The CHP called on its supporters to protest on the night of September 8 near the building of its Istanbul branch. The police have set up barricades and are not allowing protesters to approach the building. Some demonstrators broke through the law enforcement cordons, leading to clashes.

On September 2, an Istanbul court ruled to invalidate the results of the CHP's Istanbul branch congress held in the autumn of 2023.

As a precautionary measure, the head of the branch, Özgür Çelik, and other members of the leadership were removed from their posts.

Earlier, Erdoğan had called on the opposition "not to play with the nerves of the Turks."