Azerbaijan, Baku, June 1 / Trend R.Hafizoglu /
The protests in Istanbul are not related to the felling of trees in the Gezi Park, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his speech at a meeting of exporters of Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish TV channel TRT Haber broadcasted live.
According to Erdogan, the causes of the events are ideological in nature, and the opposition is going to increase its influence in Istanbul.
"There have previously been forces that wanted to create chaos in the country. In Turkey, all the democratic forces have the right to express their views," Erdogan said.
The fact of the police using force against the protesters is currently under investigation, he said.
Demonstrators are incited to hold protests in Istanbul by the supporters of the People's Party (CHP), Prime Minister said.
The rallies are being held in various Turkish towns to support the protesters in the Gezi Park on Taksim Square in downtown Istanbul.
According to the Turkish media, at present, tensions remain in Gezi Park on Taksim Square.
The protesters, opposing the destruction of the park, are building barricades in the street Istiklal and throwing stones at the policemen. The police continue to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.
Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said that 12 people were injured and 63 people were arrested during the riots.
Istanbul 6th Administration Court decided to suspend the construction of "Topcu Kıslası" shopping center on Taksim Square.
A group of protesters tried to seize the building of the Turkish ruling party in the Turkish province of Izmit on June 1 morning. The local police dispersed the demonstrators.