ANKARA, June 16 (RIA Novosti) – Any demonstrations in the center of Ankara, the scene of fierce clashes between protesters and police in the past three weeks, will be prohibited from June 16, the Ankara governor’s office reported on its website on Sunday.
“From June 16, any demonstrations, marches or other actions may not be held in the central streets of Ankara … Otherwise, security forces will be used to halt rallies and legislative measures will be applied against the organizers of these actions and their participants,” the Ankara governor’s office said on its website.
Anti-government protests started almost three weeks ago as angered Istanbul residents tried to resist the planned demolition of Gezi Park, one of the few green areas left in central Istanbul, and to replace it with rebuilt Ottoman barracks and a shopping mall.
At least five people died and thousands were injured during the unrest.
Turkish riot police reportedly used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to empty the Gezi Park in Istanbul of anti-government protesters.
