Turkish protests: police crackdown as Gezi cleared

The clampdown indicated authorities were taking a hardline against attempts to rekindle the protests.

In Istanbul, police battled protesters in side streets off Gezi Park and beyond.

In Ankara, the capital, police dispersed hundreds who tried to hold a memorial service for an activist who died of injuries sustained in a nearby police crackdown nearby on June 1.

Police sweep

A police sweep had already ended a more than two-week sit-in by activists in Gezi Park which began as a protest over plans for its redevelopment.

Critics are angry over how Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has handled the crisis as he called the demonstrators “looters“.

Some said it was one of the worst nights of clashes since the park was occupied 18 days ago.

Blocked bridge

Police blocked off the Bosphorus Bridge to stop demonstrators reaching Taksim Square, which is the site of the park.

Earlier Erdogan had warned: “I say it clearly: Taksim Square must be evacuated, otherwise this country’s security forces know how to evacuate it,”