This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22925619
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Riot police pour into Istanbul before Erdogan rally | Riot police pour into Istanbul before Erdogan rally |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Riot police from the Turkish provinces have been flown into protest-torn Istanbul as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepares to rally supporters. | Riot police from the Turkish provinces have been flown into protest-torn Istanbul as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepares to rally supporters. |
Some 1,000 riot police officers arrived at Ataturk Airport from regions as far away as Diyarbakir and Sirnak in the south-east, Turkish media report. | Some 1,000 riot police officers arrived at Ataturk Airport from regions as far away as Diyarbakir and Sirnak in the south-east, Turkish media report. |
Istanbul has been tense since riot police broke up a protest camp on Taksim Square on Saturday evening. | Istanbul has been tense since riot police broke up a protest camp on Taksim Square on Saturday evening. |
They moved in after weeks of protests against Mr Erdogan's policies. | They moved in after weeks of protests against Mr Erdogan's policies. |
The protests began on 28 May against a plan to redevelop Gezi Park, but snowballed into nationwide anti-government protests after the perceived high-handed response of the authorities under their three-term prime minister. | |
Medical officials estimate that 5,000 people have been injured and at least four killed since protests began. | Medical officials estimate that 5,000 people have been injured and at least four killed since protests began. |
Planting flowers | Planting flowers |
On Sunday morning, bulldozers cleared away barricades erected by the demonstrators around the square and its main green space, Gezi Park. | On Sunday morning, bulldozers cleared away barricades erected by the demonstrators around the square and its main green space, Gezi Park. |
Municipal workers could be seen planting flowers as police maintained security cordons. | Municipal workers could be seen planting flowers as police maintained security cordons. |
During the night, riot police fought running battles with protesters, driving them back with tear gas and water cannon. | During the night, riot police fought running battles with protesters, driving them back with tear gas and water cannon. |
The appearance of troopers from the country's gendarmerie, a military force under the control of the interior ministry in peacetime, jolted some demonstrators at the city's strategic Bosphorous Bridge. | The appearance of troopers from the country's gendarmerie, a military force under the control of the interior ministry in peacetime, jolted some demonstrators at the city's strategic Bosphorous Bridge. |
The protesters have lost their heartland around Gezi Park and may have to rethink their strategy now, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from the city. | The protesters have lost their heartland around Gezi Park and may have to rethink their strategy now, the BBC's James Reynolds reports from the city. |
Erdogan rally | Erdogan rally |
Riot police could be seen leaving the airport and getting on to coaches bound for the city. | Riot police could be seen leaving the airport and getting on to coaches bound for the city. |
At least 350 police on duty at the airport were also deployed to the city centre in case of possible clashes, Turkey's Dogan news agency reports. | At least 350 police on duty at the airport were also deployed to the city centre in case of possible clashes, Turkey's Dogan news agency reports. |
The rally in support of Mr Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), is planned for the early evening, in the Kazlicesme district on the edge of the city. | |
Mr Erdogan, a hate figure for the protesters, has agreed to postpone the redevelopment of the park while the courts consider the project's legality. | Mr Erdogan, a hate figure for the protesters, has agreed to postpone the redevelopment of the park while the courts consider the project's legality. |
But he insisted the park had to be "evacuated" by the security forces. | But he insisted the park had to be "evacuated" by the security forces. |
Activists have been calling on protesters to return to the city centre. | Activists have been calling on protesters to return to the city centre. |
However, there is a tight police cordon at Taksim Square and there are bag searches and identity checks. | |
Witnesses say Saturday was one of the worst nights of unrest since Gezi Park was occupied 18 days ago. | Witnesses say Saturday was one of the worst nights of unrest since Gezi Park was occupied 18 days ago. |
Clashes continued into Sunday morning in the streets around the square, eyewitnesses say. | Clashes continued into Sunday morning in the streets around the square, eyewitnesses say. |
Thousands of people also took to the streets of the capital, Ankara, to express support for the protests and unrest continued there on Sunday. | Thousands of people also took to the streets of the capital, Ankara, to express support for the protests and unrest continued there on Sunday. |
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to clear demonstrators in the capital's Kizilay Square on Sunday afternoon. | |
The Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) said it would call a nationwide strike on Monday, while another union grouping is deciding whether to join the action. | |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |