Police strike protesters in Ankara on second consecutive day

ANKARA

Anlara police had also intervened to protesters on June 8. Four people were reportedly detained after the June 9 crackdown. AA photo

Ankara protesters’ demonstration in solidarity with Taksim’s Gezi Park was once again subject to a police crackdown with tear gas and water cannons at around 9:30 p.m. on June 9. Thousands gathered today at Güven Park, adjacent to Kızılay Square at the center of the city, where another police intervention had taken place a day earlier after a few days of brief respite.

Soon after the police intervention, protesters began to retreat to side streets. Police also used tear gas to quell protesters who were gathered on Tunus Avenue, at the midpoint between Kızılay Square and Kuğulu Park, the two bases of demonstrations across the city. Four people, including an Iranian citizen, have been taken into custody, Anatolia news agency reported. 

Following the police crackdown, the thousands gathered in Gezi Park chanted slogans such as "Resist Ankara, Taksim is with you."

Unlike Istanbul, where the protest movement started, tensions in Ankara did not fade as police intervened several times last week in demonstrations in the center of the capital city.

The police crackdown took place as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held several rallies in different parts of the town. Erdoğan made his first speech at Ankara's Esenboğa airport, as thousands gathered to greet him. He made other four speeches as he returned to the city center.