Union of Bars Association head asks for President Gül’s intervention

ISTANBUL

Metin Feyzioğlu has warned that the unrest in Istanbul is spreading to other main cities. AA photo

The new President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations Metin Feyzioğlu has called on Turkish President Abdullah Gül to act May 31, warning that the unrest in Istanbul was spreading to other main cities. 

Noting that the protests against the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park at the heart of Istanbul had triggered big solidarity protests in Ankara and İzmir, Feyzioğlu told Halk TV that Gül should immediately intervene to defuse the situation.  

Police armed with tear gas and water cannons has also intervened against protesters in Ankara who were intending to walk to the Prime Minister’s Office and protesters in İzmir who aimed to organize a demonstration in front of a local headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Twelve protesters were injured during the morning raid, according to the Istanbul’s Governor’s Office. However, witness accounts put the number much higher, as dozens of demonstrators suffered the effects of the crackdown.