Thousands denounce release of Turkish policeman suspected of murder
Updated: 2013-06-26 01:39:00
(Xinhua)
ISTANBUL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Over 5,000 Turks staged a demonstration in Istanbul's iconic Taksim Square Tuesday to denounce the release of a police officer suspected of killing a protester in Ankara.
Shouting anti-government slogans, the protesters started to storm in the square around 7 p.m. (1800 GMT). Police have stepped up presence in surrounding areas, blocking major roads leading to the square.
Ethem Sarisuluk, a 26-year-old worker, died last week from gun wounds in the head he sustained during a protest in the capital on June 1. Police officer identified as Ahmet S. allegedly fired the shot.
Ahmet S. was released by a court pending trial after the prosecutor determined that the shooting was "within the limits of self-defense," which prompted a huge outcry and a spontaneous demonstration Monday evening on Istanbul's Asian side.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party, said Tuesday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become "the new dictator of Turkey" while addressing his party's group meeting at the parliament.
He pointed to the prime minister's recent rhetoric including "I do not make mistakes" and "if you don't do what I say, you can't be right." An angry crowd in the parliament interrupted Kilicdaroglu several times, demanding Erdogan "resign."
