Turkish anti-government protestors gather on Taksim Square in Istanbul. (file photo)
Anti-government protesters in the Turkish city of Istanbul have rejected an ultimatum issued by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to evacuate a park next to the landmark Taksim Square.
On Thursday, demonstrators converged once again on the park despite the stern 24-hour warning to leave the site.
Earlier in the day, Erdogan issued a “last warning” for thousands of protesters to evacuate Gezi Park.
“I’m making my last warning: mothers, fathers please withdraw your kids from there,” he said in a live television broadcast.
The death toll from clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Turkey has reached five. The latest victim was a 26-year-old protester who succumbed to injuries he had sustained on June 1.
Meanwhile, the Turkish government has said it is ready to hold a referendum on Gezi Park development project in an attempt to put an end the ongoing protests in the country.
The anti-government unrest began after police broke up a sit-in staged in Taksim Square on May 31 to protest against the demolition of Gezi Park.
The protesters say the park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is the city’s last green public space.
Amnesty International has censured the Turkish police for the tactics they have used to control the protests.
MP/KA
This article originally appeared on: Press TV