Turkey protests death toll reaches 5, reports say

The death toll from clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Turkey has reached five, reports say.

According to a lawyer, 26-year-old Ether Sarisuluk, a protester who was wounded by police forces on June 1, died on Thursday.

The victim was reportedly hit in the head with a tear gas canister in the capital, Ankara.

On Wednesday, police forces fired tear gas to break up crowds of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and the city of Istanbul.

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

Turkish media reports confirmed the death of at least four people, including a policeman.

On June 12, Huseyin Celik, a spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that a referendum may be held on the Gezi Park development project.

Erdogan has been harshly criticized for the way he has handled the crisis, and Amnesty International has also censured the Turkish police for using excessive force against peaceful protesters.

The protesters say 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 places.