Wed Jul 31, 2013 22:55:17
Turkish police have fired teargas in Istanbul to disperse several hundred people protesting against the police crackdown on last month's anti-government demonstrations.
On Wednesday, police blocked several hundred protesters in a busy street near Istanbul's Taksim Square from marching in support of a teenage boy who is said to be in a coma after being hit in the head by a teargas canister during the unrest, local media reported.
TV footage showed police vehicles firing water cannons and protesters running into side streets.
The unrest began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in held at Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest against the proposal to demolish Gezi Park.
Over the next 11 days, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters held demonstrations in 78 cities across the country.
According to the Turkish Human Rights Foundation, four people have died, including a policeman, and about 5,000 people have been injured in the protests.
The protesters say Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is Istanbul's last green public space.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been harshly criticized for the way he has handled the crisis.
NTJ/HH
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