Turkey Police Retains Heavy Hand against Protesters in Ankara

Turkish police continue their heavy-handed tactics against protesters demonstrating in the capital, Ankara, against the detention of anti-government activists.

Police on Friday used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, who was blocking a main road in the city, press tv reported.

The clashes erupted as 26 people appeared before a court in Ankara on charges of organizing the ongoing protests.

Reports say the Turkish authorities plan to charge more people.

Similar clashes also took place on Thursday in the coastal town of Mersin as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was attending the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games.

Police crackdown on weeks of anti-government protests has drawn international condemnation, notably from Turkey’s key European partners, including Germany.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has also expressed concern over the clashes between Turkish police and demonstrators and said officials and security forces responsible for the use of excessive force should be punished.

“It is important that the authorities recognize that the initial extremely heavy-handed response to the protests, which resulted in many injuries, is still a major part of the problem,” Pillay said in a statement issued on June 18.

The unrest in Turkey began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in held at Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest against a proposal to “redevelop” 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 one of Istanbul’s last green public spaces.