Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Over 20 polling stations in Turkey were attacked during yesterday's protests, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said, TRT Haber TV channel reported on March 13.
Arinc said the protests that took place yesterday, were directed against the government.
"No force can change the government with protests," Arinc said.
He also said that the policy changes should be made in a democratic way.
On March 11 there were mass protests in 32 Turkish cities with regard to the death of the 15-year-old Elvan Berkin. He suffered a head injury during a rally in May last year and died recently.
The largest protests were observed in Istanbul and Ankara.
Mass protests were also held on March 12 during Elvan Berkin's funeral.
Anti-government protests took place in Turkey for nearly three weeks beginning in late May.
Turkish oppositional parties accused the police of using excessive force against protestors.
In total, around 2.5 million people from 79 Turkish provinces participated in protests during the three weeks, the Turkish Interior Ministry said.
As a result of the unrests in Turkey nearly 4,000 people were injured with varying severity, 4,900 were detained by the police.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.