Jun 4, 2013

The emergence of a Turkish Spring? Anti-government protests continued for a fifth day in Turkey, as tensions escalated from a demonstration to halt government plans to demolish a park. View photos from the on-going protest.

: Protestors wave their flags in Taksim Square on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The protests began initially over the fate of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last significant green spaces in the center of the city. The response of the police, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government’s increasingly authoritarian agenda has broadened the rage of the clashes. (Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

: A Besiktas soccer fan uses his team’s scarf as a mask while sitting in a damaged bus at Taksim Square in central Istanbul June 4, 2013. Days of anti-government protest in Turkey have achieved one feat that has eluded the authorities for years: uniting the fiercely rival and sometimes violent supporters of Istanbul’s “Big Three” football clubs. Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce fans have come together in newfound solidarity during five days of demonstrations against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

: Demonstrators try to extinguish a fire in a container used for construction workers in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 4, 2013. What started as an outcry against a local development project has snowballed into widespread anger against what critics say is the government’s increasingly conservative and authoritarian agenda. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors attempt to put out a fire on June 4, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

: Anti-government protesters run away from a burning container in Istanbul’s Taksim Square on June 4, 2013. It was not clear why the container was on fire. Pockets of protesters clashed with Turkish riot police overnight and a union federation began a two-day strike on Tuesday as anti-government demonstrations in which two people have died stretched into a fifth day. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)

: Turkish demonstrators hold their national flag on June 4, 2013 during a protest in front of the prime minister’s office in Ankara. Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government said on June 4 it had “learnt its lesson” and appealed for an end to mass street protests. (Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators sit in front of policemen resting during a demonstration in Ankara on June 4, 2013. Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government said Tuesday it had “learnt its lesson” and appealed for an end to mass street protests. The United Nations joined Washington in pressing for a full investigation into allegations of excessive use of police force against anti-government demonstrators while Turkey’s main union federation launched a two-day strike over what it branded “state terror”. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: Guy Fawkes masks are seen on the ground as anti-government protesters gather in Istanbul’s Taksim square June 4, 2013. Pockets of protesters clashed with Turkish riot police overnight and a union federation began a two-day strike on Tuesday as anti-government demonstrations in which two people have died stretched into a fifth day. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)

: A demonstrator takes cover at a road block between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 4, 2013 during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)

: A Turkish riot police officer fires tear gas during clashes with protestors between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: A protestor runs away from tear gas during clashes with Turkish riot policemen between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: A police car burns, set alite on Taksim square in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during protests against the Islamic-rooted government. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Two men try to put out a fire on a Police car set alite on Taksim square in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 during protests against the Islamic-rooted government. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration in Ankara on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the Islamic-rooted government. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration in Ankara June 3, 2013. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: A protestor receives water cannon during clashes at a demonstration in Ankara on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the Islamic-rooted government. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: Riot police fire tear gas against protesters during a demonstration in Ankara June 3, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused anti-government protesters on Monday of walking “arm-in-arm with terrorism”, remarks that could further inflame public anger after three days of some of the most violent riots in decades. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: Protestors sit under the Republic monument on Taksim square in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the demolition of Gezi park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Turkish youths relax in Taksim Gezi park in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the demolition of the park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: A protester sleeps on a chair at Taksim Square in central Istanbul June 3, 2013. Turkish protesters clashed with riot police into the early hours of Monday with some setting fire to offices of the ruling AK Party as the fiercest anti-government demonstrations in years entered their fourth day.(Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

: People walk on an overturned police car on Taksim square in Istanbul on June 3, 2013 after days of protests against the demolition of Gezi park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors clash with riot police near Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul, on June 3, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Gurcan Ozturk/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors walk during a demonstration in Ankara, on June 3, 2013, in a nationwide wave of protests. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: An anti-government protestor gestures as he stands next to objects set on fire during a demonstration in Ankara, late on June 2, 2013, in a nationwide wave of protests. (Adem Alton/AFP/Getty Images)

: Anti-government protestors gesture as they stand next to objects set on fire during a demonstration in Ankara, early on June 3, 2013, in a nationwide wave of protests. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: A protestor holds a national flag of Turkey during a demonstration in Ankara, early on June 3, 2013, in a nationwide wave of protests. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors clash with riot police near Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul, on June 3, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Gurcan Ozturk/AFP/Getty Images)

: A wounded man is taken away during clashes with Turkish police, early morning on June 3, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

: An anti-government protester holds Turkey’s national flag with a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, on it during a demostration in Ankara late June 2, 2013. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Turkey’s four biggest cities on Sunday and clashed with riot police firing tear gas in the third day of the fiercest anti-government protests in years. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: An anti-government protester gestures during a demonstration in Ankara late June 2, 2013. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: Police tear gas to disperse protestors outside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s working office in Besiktas Istanbul, on June 2, 2013, during a third day of clashes sparked by anger at his Islamist-rooted government. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors light a fire on June 2, 2013, after the clashes in Taksim square. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Riot police detain a protester during demonstrations against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party in central Ankara June 2, 2013. (Stringer/Reuters)

: A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, holds a banner as Israelis and Turks demonstrate against the Turkish regime and in support of Turkish protesters outside the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv on June 2, 2013. (Daniel Bar-On/AFP/Getty Images)

: A protester holds a sign as Israelis and Turks demonstrate against the Turkish regime outside the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv on June 2, 2013.(Daniel Bar-On/AFP/Getty Images)

: A man passes a barrier made by protestors against police in Taksim square after the clashes on June 2, 2013. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors gather on Taksim square on June 2, 2013, a day after Turkish police pulled out of Istanbul’s iconic square following a second day of violent clashes between protesters and police over a controversial development project. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Police use a water cannon to disperse protestors outside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s working office in Besiktas Istanbul, on June 2, 2013, during a third day of clashes sparked by anger at his Islamist-rooted government. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: A riot policeman reacts to a fire made by anti-government protesters during a demonstration in Izmir, western Turkey, June 2, 2013. (Emre Tazegul/Reuters)

: Protestors gather on Taksim square on June 2, 2013, a day after Turkish police pulled out of Istanbul’s iconic square following a second day of violent clashes between protesters and police over a controversial development project. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators clash with Turkish riot police during a protest against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party in central Ankara June 2, 2013. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: Demonstrators shout slogans during an anti-government protest at Taksim Square in central Istanbul June 2, 2013. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused Turkey’s main secular opposition party on Sunday of stirring a wave of anti-government protests, as tens of thousands regrouped in Istanbul and Ankara after a lull and trouble flared again in the capital. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

: A damaged car is seen in Taksim Square where police and anti-government protesters clashed in central Istanbul June 2, 2013. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

: Protestors clash with riot police near the Taksim Gezi park in Istanbul, on June 1, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul, on June 1, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protestors clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul, on June 1, 2013, during a demonstration against the demolition of the park. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Anti-government protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks, pose for a souvenir photo on top of a damaged public bus at Taksim square in Istanbul June 1, 2013. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

: Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in central Ankara June 1, 2013. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: Tear gas surrounds a protestor holding a Turkish flag with a portrait of the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as he takes part in a demonstration in support of protests in Istanbul and against the Turkish Prime Minister and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), in Ankara, on June 1, 2013. (Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images)

: A Turkish protestor uses a slingshot on June 1, 2013 during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Bluent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protesters hurl rocks at riot police on June 1, 2013 during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park in Istanbul. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Riot police behind shields fire tear gas during clashes with demonstrators protesting against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in central Ankara June 1, 2013. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

: A man is hit by a jet of water as riot police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in central Ankara June 1, 2013. (Umit Bekta/Reuters)

: A man throws wood on a fire as Turkish protestors and riot policemen clash on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

: Riot police shield themselves from stones thrown by protesters during an anti-government protest in central Istanbul June 1, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate end on Saturday to the fiercest anti-government demonstrations for years, as thousands of protesters clashed with riot police in Istanbul and Ankara for a second day. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

: Protesters gather on a main street during clashes between police and anti-government protesters in Ankara, late June 1, 2013. (Stringer/Reuters)

: Some stores on Istiklal street are damaged by protestors on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

: Stores on Istiklal street are damaged by protestors on June 1, 2013, during a protest against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park, in Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkish deputy PM seeks to calm anti-government protests
Alexandra Hudson and Jonathon Burch, Reuters
12:41 p.m. EDT, June 4, 2013

ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s deputy prime minister apologized on Tuesday for “excessive violence” by police in an effort to defuse days of unrest, comments which contrasted sharply with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s defiant dismissal of the protesters.

With Erdogan abroad and strikes and demonstrations still rumbling on after five days, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc sought to assuage some of the anger at the government’s initial hardline response to what began as a sit-in against plans to build on an Istanbul park.

“The excessive violence that was used in the first instance against those who were behaving with respect for the environment is wrong and unfair,” Arinc told a news conference in the capital Ankara. “I apologize to those citizens.”

“But,” he added, “I don’t think we owe an apology to those who have caused damage in the streets and tried to prevent people’s freedom.”

One Comment

crosspoint
Jun 04, 2013 @ 04:05:57

Solidarity from Berlin with Protesters in Turkey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mGOEXYwsak

Clashes continue between protestors, riot police in Turkey

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