Turkish opposition leader attacked in Istanbul (video)

On May 4, the leader of Turkey's Republican People's Party, Özgür Özel, was attacked during the funeral of MP Sirri Süreyya in Istanbul.

The incident occurred after a ceremony at the Ataturk Cultural Center in the city's famous Taksim Square.

Videos circulating on social media clearly show an unknown man slapping the opposition leader and immediately being detained by security guards providing security for the politician.

According to Haberturk, the attacker shouted "We are the descendants of the Ottomans!" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was informed of the incident, spoke to Özel by phone and strongly condemned the act, promising to thoroughly investigate all the details of the incident and identify the perpetrators.

Former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently in prison, also expressed his reaction to the incident. "I strongly condemn this heinous attack on our leader, Mr. Özgür Özel. The attacker and all those responsible for him must be identified immediately and brought to justice," Imamoğlu said. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!