Complaints raised over road closures before CHP rally in Ankara

Aysel Alp ANKARA / Hürriyet

All streets leading to Ankara’s Tandoğan Square, where the main opposition party is set to hold an election rally today, were closed to traffic in the early morning, drawing reactions from citizens who were affected by the blocked roads.

The streets were reportedly closed at 4 a.m., 12 hours before the scheduled rally from the Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP).

People who were trying to head to work or school criticized the situation, asking why the roads were closed 12 hours before the rally.

The authorities reportedly said the roads were closed upon an order from the Ankara Governor’s Office.

CHP deputy head Gürsel Tekin told daily Hürriyet that the decision was not made by the CHP but the local authorities, saying it was an intentional move.

“Such a move is more than intentional. I condemn the local governors for their behavior,” Tekin said.