Opposition Leader: ‘They Want to Spread Fear in Ankara and Smear Its Mayor’

ANKARA – Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel accused the government of targeting his party and the capital’s mayor after a police operation at Çankaya Municipality. Speaking to a crowd during a march from Kuğulu Park to the municipal building, Özel said the operation was aimed at intimidating Ankara’s leaders and tarnishing the reputation of Mayor Mansur Yavaş. “They say ‘Ankara is next,’” Özel declared, “and they are trying to spread fear among the city’s leaders.” He did not provide evidence for the claim.