Turkish Deputy PM apologizes to injured protestersJune 4, 2013 - 17:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Deputy PM Bulent Arinc has apologized to protesters injured in demonstrations opposing the demolition of an Istanbul park, BBC News reported. The original protests over the redevelopment of Gezi Park were "just and legitimate", he said, offering to meet the organizers. He called for the protests to end, saying they had been taken over by "terrorist elements". The protests have escalated into five days of unrest in cities across Turkey. "The use of excessive force shown against the people who initially started this protest with the motive of protecting the environment was wrong. And it was unfair. So I apologize to those citizens," Arinc said at a news conference in Ankara. However, he added: "I do not think we need to apologize to those who create destruction of public property in the streets and who try to prevent the freedom of the people in the streets." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |