Clashes have erupted once again between Turkish riot police and anti-government protesters who were on the streets for the fourth consecutive day to condemn the recent killing of a young fellow demonstrator.
On Thursday, security forces fired teargas and water cannons to break up the gatherings in the capital Ankara and the city of Istanbul. Outraged protesters also hurled petrol bombs and firecrackers at police.

The protesters are angry over the death of 22-year-old Ahmet Atakan, who was killed on September 9 after being hit in the head with a tear gas canister during a protest rally to denounce Ankara’s handling of recent nationwide demonstrations in the southern city of Antakya.

However, local officials have denied the account of his death, saying the youngster died after falling from a rooftop during the skirmishes.

Atakan’s killing is the sixth recorded death in protest rallies since anti-Ankara demonstrations began in June. The Turkish government has also arrested many activists, among them high school students, on allegations of inciting unrest across the country.

In June, a peaceful sit-in aimed at saving Istanbul’s central Gezi Park from being razed prompted a violent police response. Thousands of protesters were injured after the protests spiraled into nationwide demos against the administration of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

By Press TV

 

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