Turkish riot police have arrested several protesters in Istanbul as they marked the first anniversary of anti-government demonstrations last year. The clampdown came after protesters defied the prime minister’s warning and a heavy police presence. Thousands of members of security forces also blocked access to the city’s iconic Taksim Square. Over 25,000 troops have been deployed across Istanbul. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier warned people of crackdown if they defy a ban on anti-government protests to mark the anniversary of last year's protests. Police crushed anti-Erdogan protests, which began as an effort to prevent the construction of a shopping mall at Gezi Park, near Taksim Square. The unrest, which died down late last summer, left several protesters dead and thousands others wounded. The protests anniversary comes as the May 13 blast at a coal mine in Soma has sparked demonstrations in several towns and cities across Turkey in recent weeks. The government is under fire for what is seen as its failure to protect and rescue trapped workers. Turkish media say Ankara has rejected calls to inspect mines in the Soma region, only weeks before the deadly coal mine disaster. Premier Erdogan has promised to launch investigations into the cause of the incident.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/2091
online news tv
