06/11/2013, 00.00
TURKEY
Send to a friend

Istanbul, the police enter Taksim Square. Demonstrations also dispersed in Ankara

Policemen in riot gear and armored cars sweep away the barricades and launch tear gas and jets of fire hydrant to disperse the demonstrators. Yesterday police dispersed demonstrations in Ankara city center. Erdogan agrees to meet leaders of the protest tomorrow. In 12 days, at least two people dead and 4800 wounded in the clashes.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of police in riot gear and with dozens of armored trucks this morning entered Taksim Square, for weeks now home to a decisive protest against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse activists camped out in the square.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister agreed to meet with the leaders of the protest tomorrow. But he also warned that "illegal demonstrations will no longer be allowed in Turkey." Erdogan put his words into action last night and the police also dispersed demonstrations in the center of Ankara.

This morning, hundreds of police with helmets and shields surrounded Taksim square, while the armored vehicles exceeded the barricades erected by the protesters.

The protests began 12 days ago in Taksim Square, against a building project which involved the felling of trees in Gezi Park, one of the few green lungs of Istanbul. The demonstrations grew in number and began criticizing Erdogan's government, accusing it of authoritarianism and wanting to Islamize the secular state.

The law enforcement response has been heavy handed. According to the union of doctors, the protest led to the death of two protesters and a police officer, with more than 4,800 injured. Erdogan said that at least 600 policemen were injured.

The 59 year old leader is considered the most influential personality in the country after Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey. His party, the AKP has won elections three times in succession, on the back of the country's great economic development.

Sure of his popularity, Erdogan has asked his supporters to defy the protesters to give the AKP victory in the upcoming elections to be held in 2014.

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Istanbul rocked by protests and police violence
01/06/2013
Calm reigns in Istanbul in wake of May 1st clashes
02/05/2008
Turkey’s Kurds celebrate Norouz under the watchful eye of police
22/03/2010
In Turkey's complicated situation, Erdogan could lose everything
05/06/2013
Erdogan chooses early elections
02/05/2007


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”