TURKEY: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan defends riot police tactics in Turkey protests, as he says these attacks are not just aimed at him but the people of his country

Record ID: 217873

  • Title: TURKEY: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan defends riot police tactics in Turkey protests, as he says these attacks are not just aimed at him but the people of his country
  • Date: 23rd May 2014
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (MAY 23, 2014) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS THROWING STONES AT ARMOURED POLICE VEHICLE
  • Embargoed: 7th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA10QW5DWQ8QIUBD7UZF5U7VVV1
  • Story Text: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan condemned anti-government protesters and remained defiant over police tactics on Friday (May 23) at a meeting of his ruling AK Party in Ankara.
    Two protesters and seven policemen were injured in clashes in the city's Okmeydani district, in Istanbul overnight Thursday (May 22) following the fatal shooting of a bystander, 30-year-old Ugur Kurt.
    Police and protesters continued to clash on Friday in Istanbul and set up a symbolic coffin in front of the Alawite temple where Kurt was killed.
    The incident on Thursday occurred nearly one year to the day after protests in central Istanbul triggered a summer of nationwide anti-government demonstrations that challenged the decade-long rule of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
    Erdogan said that protesters were meant to be marking an anniversary, but instead they were terrorising the people of the neighbourhood.

    "They attacked with petrol bombs, masks and fireworks. A petrol bomb landed inside a police van and policemen were wounded," said Erdogan.
    He added that he stood by the actions of the police during the protests.

    "Can you imagine, these terrorists climb on those vehicles and vandalized them, trying to break the glass. For God's sake, do you expect police to sit down and do nothing? I don't understand how can they be this patient?" said Erdogan.
    Erdogan was defiant and said that the protests were not just aimed at him but the people.

    "Those who think that those attacks are carried out against my friends, our government, our political party and the people who voted for us they are making a big mistake. There is no doubt that these attacks are carried out against the people of this country, against the freedom, the beliefs and the future of the people of this country."
    Erdogan, who is expected to stand in a presidential election in August, has had a difficult twelve months, with last year's protests, a corruption scandal dogging his inner circle, and a mine disaster last week drawing renewed criticism of his leadership.
    .
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