Published time: June 16, 2013 21:07
Thousands gathered in Istanbul to support the Turkish Prime Minister as he gave his speech at a park not far from Taksim square. Meanwhile police continued to use tear gas and water cannon against protesters across Istanbul.
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“Clearing Gezi Park is my duty,” Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the cheering crowds of supporters.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader addressed
his supporters at Kazlicesme Square as part of the party‘s
official launch of the local elections campaign, which is set to
be held in March next year.
“Those who wonder about what’s going on in Turkey should
better look at Kazlicesme, at Istanbul,” said Erdogan.
He also slammed the international media for showing a ‘false’
picture of Turkey and called on the Turkish citizens not to
believe ‘lies’ of the foreign media.
“We will determine social media provocateurs one by one,”
the Prime minister also warned with reference to protesters as
quoted by local Anadolu news agency.
Outside the square, police continued to use intense tear gas and
water cannon to disperse protesters trying to gather in
neighborhoods close to Taksim Square.
The protests started almost three weeks ago initially against the
refurbishment of Gezi park. Since then, in the wake of the harsh
police response, the demonstrations grew into
anti-government rallies with protesters accusing Erdogan of
becoming authoritarian during his 10 years in power.
Dozens of protesters were detained on Sunday, Hurriyet Daily
said. The city line ferries between the Anatolian and Asian sides
of Istanbul have been reportedly partially canceled in compliance
with a direction from the Istanbul Governorate.
“You cannot hold a rally wherever you wish,” said Erdogan
explaining the extensive use of force by the riot police, adding
that the demonstrations must be held “where it is
allowed.”
As the protests reach almost three weeks of violence, the prime
minister acknowledges that the popular Gezi Park has been
“cleared and handed back to its people” adding “real
environmentalists are now at work in Gezi, planting flowers”.
This article originally appeared on: RT