Deputy Önder injured after being hit by canister in Gezi Park protests

ISTANBUL

A photo posted on Önder's Twitter account shows the MP being wheeled through a hospital.

Istanbul deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder was shot by police in the shoulder with a tear gas canister during yesterday's Gezi Park protests, according to reports.

Önder was in the crowd holding a sit-in protest before police attacked and tried to disperse the crowd with tear gas and pressurized water on the fourth day of mass protests against the destruction of the Taksim park and its replacement by a mall.

Fellow Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü tweeted that he talked with Önder, confirming that he was hit in the shoulder and was taken to Taksim İlk Yardım Hospital, adding that “he is not [in] good [condition].”

Önder has been the most outspoken and active lawmaker during the four days of Gezi Park protests, where intellectuals, artists and activists have been protesting against the planned changes.

Önder has frequently stood in front of bulldozers, trying to stop the demolition of trees.