Khalifa Erdogan faces serious Opposition
A haber TV channel showed that opposition Republican People’s Party representatives tried to discuss ways for calming the aggressively-minded protesters with the police
Clashes between protesters and police occurred on the campus of the Middle East Technological University in Ankara.
A TV channel showed live, a group of aggressive protesters blocking the road with garbage containers and setting fire to the contents of the containers.
Despite calls from the police to disperse, the protesters continued to block the road and began throwing stones at the police. To calm them down, law enforcement officers used tear gas and water cannons.
The incident occurred when one of the leaders of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) arrived at the university, planning to hold a rally in support of the detained mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu together with other party functionaries, supporters and students.
The TV channel showed that party representatives tried to discuss ways for calming the aggressively-minded protesters with the police. It was at this time that the clash occurred.
Soon the provocateurs were pushed back, and the road they blocked was occupied by CHP supporters who arrived there specifically to express their support for Imamoglu.
Similar actions are taking place in a number of cities in Turkey. These are mainly peaceful demonstrations that are held on the initiative and under the control of the CHP.
In some cases, clashes or scuffles with the police have occurred. In particular, in Izmir, the police used water cannons against a group of masked people who came out to protest together with other CHP supporters.
There is no information yet about casualties among the protesters. Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that six law enforcement officers were injured during the clashes in Istanbul.
Several thousand people have also gathered in a public park in front of Istanbul City Hall to show their support for Ekrem Imamoglu, the detained mayor of the metropolis.
The rally is taking place despite a ban on mass rallies and marches imposed by the Istanbul Governor’s Office.Large groups of young people and students are taking part in the rally.
Many participants came with Turkish flags and banners of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which Imamoglu is a member of. Party leaders, particularly its chairman Ozgur Ozel, as well as Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas addressed the crowd.
It is also chanting slogans in support of Imamoglu. The rally is proceeding peacefully, under tight security.
The area around the city hall and the Sarachane Park, where people have congregated, is completely enclosed by police barriers.
