Turkey PM praises police ‘heroism’ amid protests

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the “legendary heroism” of police forces in quelling anti-government protests that have rocked the country for more than three weeks.

Speaking at the Police Academy in the capital, Ankara, on Monday, Erdogan thanked the country’s security forces for their “patience” and “discipline” during the demonstrations.

“Our police successfully passed a very important, very challenging democracy test,” Erdogan noted, adding, “Our police have responded to attacks, provocations without violating the law … and have written a saga of heroism.”

Erdogan’s remarks came as his government has been widely criticized by human rights groups and its Western allies for using excessive force against protesters.

The unrest in Turkey began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in at Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest against a proposal to demolish Gezi Park.

The protesters said Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is one of Istanbul’s last green public spaces.

The violence turned into nationwide demonstrations against the ruling Justice and Development Party, with police using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

On Sunday, thousands of people and human rights activists staged a demonstration near the Taksim Square, condemning what they called Erdogan’s authoritarian rule and demanding his resignation.

Riot police on Saturday cleared protesters from Taksim Square, while the prime minister was addressing his supporters in the coastal city of Samsun.

He blamed the demonstrations on a foreign plot aimed at destabilizing his government.

Five people, including a police officer, have died in the clashes and more than 5,000 protesters and 600 police officers have been injured.