Main opposition leader calls on PM to order withdrawal of police from Taksim

ANKARA – Doğan News Agency

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had made a short visit to protesters occupying Taksim Gezi Park on the evening of May 29, to show his party's as well as his own personal support for the movement. DHA photo

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to take responsibility for ordering the withdrawal of the police from Istanbul’s Taksim area, where clashes with peaceful demonstrators protesting against the demolition of Gezi Park continued late May 31. 

“Don’t confront the people with police. Withdraw the police immediately from the Taksim Gezi [Park] area. People are defending their city. That’s why they are resisting,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, noting that an administrative court had suspended the Artillery Barracks projects planned to replace the park. 

“Show that you are the prime minister and make a public statement that you will respect the court’s ruling. This is your duty,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Erdoğan had previously stated that the decision on the construction of the Artillery Barracks was already taken, adding that it would not change no matter what the protesters did.