Tens of Injuries in Protests against Erdogan: Istanbul

Local Editor

Turkey is entering a second day of protests after clashes between police and demonstrators left dozens of people injured in Istanbul on Friday.

The Turkish police fired tear gas grenades and water hoses on protesters in Istanbul, which led to tens of injuries.

Tear gas was again fired on Saturday morning as hundreds of protesters marched over a Bosphorus bridge.

What began as a peaceful protest to clear Gezi Park, one of the few remaining green spaces left in Taksim, has escalated into some of the worst scenes of police violence seen in Turkey since years, BBC reported.

Hundreds of protesters marched over the bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of Istanbul on Saturday morning to try to reach the main square.

Istanbul's governor said a dozen people were admitted to hospital and more than 60 people detained after Friday's clashes, which continued into the night.

In Ankara, protesters staged what they described as a solidarity rally, with many participants chanting: "Everywhere is resistance, everywhere is Taksim!"

Opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans say the park is one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul.

Correspondents say the issue has helped highlight unhappiness among young people towards the government and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Erdogan has been in power since 2002 and some in Turkey have complained that his government is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Source: News Agencies, edited by website team