The Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel was physically attacked on Sunday after attending a memorial service for the late politician Sırrı Sureyya Onder at Istanbul’s Ataturk Cultural Center, Report informs via Hurriyet.
According to initial reports, a man approached the CHP chairman as he exited the building and struck him in the face. Security personnel quickly intervened, pulling the attacker away and escorting him from the scene. Ozel was promptly removed from the area for his safety.
"We must not allow the actions of this attacker to take precedence. There have been assassination attempts against party leaders, and some have been imprisoned. Numerous pieces of disinformation are circulating. I consider this attack to be an assault on the political establishment. We are obliged to work together," Ozel said after the attack.
Communications Director Fahrettin Altun announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Ozel.
"President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, who was attacked in Istanbul today, to express his well wishes and conveyed his support. The president also stated that he is closely following the process to uncover all aspects of the incident," he said.