Istanbul court rejects ministry’s appeal to suspend Gezi redevelopment, pending definitive ruling

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

After the heavy-handed evacuation of Gezi Park, the Istanbul municipality is pursuing intensive works on the site. According to officials, new trees as well as thousands of flowers are being planted. DHA photo

An administrative court which had suspended the redevelopment plans of Gezi Park late May, has rejected today the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s appeal against the ruling.  

After studying the ministry’s objection, the court has ruled that the suspension decision was adequate by the majority of votes of the judges’ panel.

The definitive ruling regarding the Artillery Barracks project set to replace Gezi Park is due to be handed out in two months.

After weeks of protests, the government had vowed to respect the court’s decision regarding the fate of the park that became the symbol of the nationwide protest.

In the case of the appeal being upheld, the government had promised to submit the project to a referendum in Istanbul.

Although the proposal had reduced tensions, the heavy-handed evacuation of the park a few days later had reignited the anger of protesters who continued their demonstration to demand the investigation of those responsible for the police’s brutal interventions. Three demonstrators and a police officer died during the protests last month and dozens were seriously injured.