Main opposition CHP's local youth branch head arrested over 'attack on government's aid workers'

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A local youth branch head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) was arrested on May 16 over allegedly attacking a group of aid workers of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Eren Yıldırım, the CHP's youth branch head in the Yüreğir district of the southern province of Adana, was detained after Adana Governor's Office claimed that he was involved in a group of four people who attempted to prevent the aid workers from distributing coronavirus (COVID-19) aid.

The office said that the workers, who are called Vefa Social Support Group, were subjected to physical and verbal attacks during the aid distribution efforts, which were also attended by Yüreğir District Governor Oğuzhan Bingöl, at around 10 p.m. on May 14.

The group including Yıldırım were detained after the incident, but were released.

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The Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to his release and Yıldırım was arrested.

CHP deputy leader Onursal Adıgüzel shared Yıldırım's statements before he was arrested, saying that the youth branch head was subjected to an armed attack by Bingöl's bodyguard.

"Yıldırım was arrested upon orders from the government. I condemn the judiciary for issuing rulings upon orders," Adıgüzel said.

According to Yıldırım, the brawl erupted when he asked the aid workers to whom the aid will be given to.

"They aimed a gun at us. I called the police for being attacked, but police acted in a way as if the opposite happened," he said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also commented on the issue, saying that Yıldırım insulted the aid workers and physically attacked them.

CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak, in response, slammed Erdoğan for creating a scenario.