Turkish Opposition Blames Govt for Latest Office Attack

Main opposition Republican People's Party CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairperson Canan Kaftancioglu (C) speaks to her supporters in Istanbul, 6 September, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/SERPIL GEDIK

"The political understanding and fears of those in government gave the courage to those who damaged and fired arms three times against our representation office in Ornek Neighbourhood in Atasehir," Canan Kaftancioglu wrote on Twitter.

Kaftancioglu said the CHP is not afraid of such attacks.

"Those who attack, incite and create this climate are responsible. I call on the authorities to find the perpetrators immediately," Kaftancioglu added.

Ataşehir Örnek Mah. temsilciliğimize saldıran tahrip eden ve 3 el ateş açanlara (kuru sıkı olduğu tahmin ediliyor) bu cesareti veren ve bu koşulları oluşturan iktidardakilerin siyaset anlayışı ve korkularıdır.
Biz korkmayız ama bence de sizler korkun. Korkacak çok şeyiniz var! pic.twitter.com/exOplS3p4v

— Canan Kaftancıoğlu (@Canan_Kaftanci) April 18, 2023

The CHP office was damaged, and attackers wrote "RTE" and "AKP" on the walls and windows which are abbreviations for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP.

No injuries were reported, as the attack happened during the night, when there were no party officials in the office.

As Turkey heads to critical presidential and general elections on May 14, several party buildings and offices of the opposition were attacked and damaged in the past month across the country.

The latest attack is the third after the headquarters of the CHP and the opposition Good Party were attacked by gunmen. These attackers were detained by police but were later released.

The authorities...