10,000 mourn as protests grip Istanbul

Protests are continuing to shake Turkey's streets, as more than 10,000 people turned out for the funeral of a man killed in the clashes this week.

People gather around the coffin of Ugur Kurt, a protester killed in a recent anti-government protest, during his funeral, on May 23, 2014, in the Okmeydani district of Istanbul. (AFP)

People gather around the coffin of Ugur Kurt, a protester killed in a recent anti-government protest, during his funeral, on May 23, 2014, in the Okmeydani district of Istanbul. (AFP)

Ten thousand mourners have marched through Istanbul to honour a man killed by crossfire in clashes between police and anti-government protesters, as fresh running battles the shook city's streets.

Riot police clad in heavy body armour used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds as rioters blocked roads and burned tyres in the second day of demonstrations, said an AFP photographer on the scene.

A second person died from injuries on Friday after being hit by a grenade explosion during violent clashes overnight on Thursday, Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said.

Meanwhile some 10,000 people flocked to the funeral of the first victim of the clashes, Ugur Kurt, chanting "Murderer state" and "You will be accountable to us".

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the police's actions, branding the demonstrators "terrorists".

"I don't understand how police can maintain their patience," during an address to his party politicians on Friday.

Demonstrators have taken to the street to vent their anger over last week's mine disaster in the western town of Soma and to commemorate the death of a teenage boy from injuries sustained during anti-government unrest last year.

Mutlu blamed masked and armed groups for seeking to sow chaos in Turkey's financial capital.

At least eight police officers and another person have already been injured in the clashes, he said.

Video footage showing Kurt falling to the ground in a pool of blood has gone viral on social media websites, sparking renewed outrage on the streets of the Okmeydani, home to the minority Alevi community.

Tensions are high with the approach of the first anniversary of deadly nationwide anti-government protests and in the wake of a mine disaster that claimed 301 lives last week.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world