Hundreds of riot police entered the Ankara headquarters of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party after supporters blocked the building following a court ruling dismissing the party leadership.

Video showed officers using tear gas and pushing through entrances to remove party leader Ozgur Ozel.

The ruling named former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim leader as part of an ongoing probe into the party.

Rights groups condemned the move, calling it a major blow to democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.