Turkish authorities have arrested 13 people following the removal of opposition leader Özgür Özel by an order from a court dominated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party.
The Anadolu news agency reported the arrests on Saturday, citing the Istanbul public prosecutor's office. It said the detained included delegates of Özel's CHP, Turkey's biggest opposition party.
They are accused of bribery, money laundering and other charges in connection with a CHP party congress three years ago.
A court in Ankara on Thursday declared invalid the 2023 party congress at which Özel had been elected CHP chairman, citing alleged irregularities, and removed him from office. The court appointed former party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to replace him.
The controversial 77-year-old Kılıçdaroğlu led the CHP for more than 10 years. He lost to Erdoğan in the election three years ago and then to Özel in the fight for the party leadership.
The ruling is seen as a heavy blow to Erdogan's political opponents. Observers view the decision as politically motivated, although the government has maintained that the judiciary is independent.
The CHP lodged an appeal against Thursday's ruling with the Supreme Court. According to experts, it could take more than a year for the court to make a final decision.
