Turkey: Opposition parties react to police treatment of HDP co-chair

Leaders of three opposition parties in Turkey reacted to the police's attitude of denying Mithat Sancar entry to the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

A group of people who gathered in front of HDP's offices in Istanbul's Kadikoy district on Monday to protest a recent police violence against the co-chair of the party's Istanbul branch were targeted by the police when HDP co-chairs Mithat Sancar and Pervin Buldan arrived to take part in the demonstration. As several HDP supporters were detained, Sancar was denied access to the party's offices.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), condemned the police's attitude, saying:

"No party leader, under no circumstances, may be subjected to a blockade by the police on orders! I condemn this disgraceful act against KDP co-chair Mithat Sancar."

Ali Babacan, the leader of the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), said:

"Obstructing the entry of a political party leader to the district offices of the party is unacceptable. I reject the lawless attitude against HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar and other party members. Blocking democratic politics cannot be turned into a common practice. We will not allow it."

Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoglu said:

"Is democracy on vacation? A police blockade against the leader of a political party cannot be accepted. The obstruction against HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar is lawless. Making this lawless move in Istanbul while sending a delegate to HDP in Ankara is a recent example of hypocritical politics."

CHP, DEVA and the Future Party are part of the six-party opposition bloc.