Thousands clash with police in Istanbul amid anti-govt protests
Turkish police have let off tear gas and pressurised water against groups of protesters trying to reach a main Istanbul square for a second day of anti-government demonstrations.
The protest grew out of anger at police’s heavy-handed tactics to break up a peaceful sit-in to protect a park in Istanbul’s main Taksim square yesterday.
It turned into a wider protest against prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is seen as becoming increasingly authoritarian and spread to other Turkish cities. Dozens were injured in the scuffles.
Today, police clashed with groups of youths trying to reach Taksim. Some threw stones at police.
Thousands also marched along a Bosphorus bridge connecting the Asian and European shores of the city.
The Dogan news agency said 81 demonstrators were detained in Istanbul.
