Police impose security measures ahead of CHP’s march to Istanbul after MP's arrest

ANKARA

Ankara police have imposed extensive security measures in the downtown of the capital after Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said he would begin a march to Istanbul in protest at the arrest of Istanbul deputy Enis Berberoğlu on June 14.   

“It’s a must that the event that will take place should include public order, public security, traffic order and the security of the participants. In this regard, organizers and participants of this event must comply with security measures,” read a statement issued by the Ankara Governor’s Office early on June 15. 

In an interview on CNN Türk late on June 14, Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he would start to march from Ankara’s Güvenpark at 11 a.m. to Istanbul’s Maltepe Prison where Berberoğlu was taken late on June 14. The CHP leader said he would stage the rally on his own but added that people were free to join him. 

Following Kılıçdaroğlu’s statement, police in Ankara began taking measures at the entrance of the park in a bid to check participants. Many roads have also been closed to traffic by police while riot police groups have also been deployed around the park.

The governor’s statement said only a reasonable number of participants would be permitted to attend the walk within the city in a bid to ensure traffic order and the security of participants. Those who will continue to walk after leaving city boundaries will have to wear a special armband or vests, it added.