Turkish protesters demand sacking of police amid crackdownJune 6, 2013 - 10:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish demonstrators demanded the sacking of police chiefs on Wednesday, June 5 over a fierce crackdown on days of unprecedented protest against what they see as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's authoritarian rule, Reuters said. A delegation of activists met Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc at his office in Ankara and demanded the release of detained demonstrators, a halt to the police use of tear gas, and the removal of senior officers who oversaw the crackdown. Arinc, formally in charge of government while Erdogan is on an official visit to North Africa, has apologized for "excessive violence" by police against the initial protest in Istanbul's Taksim Square but made no public comment after the meeting. Police use of tear gas and water cannon to disperse that initial demonstration last week triggered the most violent riots in decades and drew other groups, from professionals to students, into a broadening protest against Erdogan. Two people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the six days of unrest, dealing a blow to the prime minister's image at home and abroad. Members of more than a dozen labor unions banging drums, trailing banners and chanting "Tayyip resign" marched into Taksim, where the demonstrations have been largely peaceful in recent days after riot police withdrew. "We will show that we will not surrender to AKP fascism with our peaceful democratic reaction in city squares," said a joint statement from two union confederations. "The AKP is trying to cow a significant portion of society to realize its own dreams of power, restricting rights and freedoms." 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |