Hospitalized main opposition deputy says police used gas on ambulance

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy leader Gürsel Tekin. DHA Photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy leader Gürsel Tekin said the ambulance carrying him to the hospital was targeted by police forces during the May 1 protests.

“Two days ago it was in the news that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria. What difference does it make? How is [Erdoğan] any different than Saddam or Assad?” Tekin told reporters after receiving treatment at the Taksim Education and Research Hospital.

“United Nations’ decisions ban interfering with ambulances even in war zones,” Tekin said. “They used tear gas on the ambulance. What kind of a cruelty is this?”

Tekin said they were initially allowed to walk to the provincial CHP office, but were later on attacked by police forces.

Tekin was hospitalized earlier today due to police intervention with gas while attending a May Day protest in Istanbul.

Tekin was marching with his party members in the district of Beşiktaş, heading to the CHP’s Istanbul headquarters.

Speaking to daily Hürriyet on the phone, Tekin placed the blame on “those who ordered the police to use pepper gas.”

Tekin said police were aware that CHP’s senior members were among those marching but still intervened, and that he was waiting for a telephone call from Interior Minister Muammer Güler for an explanation.

Police battled with crowds starting from early in the morning with water and tear gas in a bid to keep groups, which included trade union members, members of political parties and other groups, away from Taksim Square, which is off limits to May Day demonstrations.