Police clash with pro-Kurdish BDP protesters in SE Turkey

Police used pressurized water and pepper spray to break up a rally Friday that was organized by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, as part of its civil-disobedience movement.

BDP Parliamentary Group Chairman Bengi Yıldız was dragged on the ground for some 10 meters during the clash between police and protesters, the Doğan news agency, or DHA, reported Friday.

Police intervened when a group of BDP members and supporters tried to pitch a tent after Friday prayers in Diyarbakır’s Dağkapı Square, stopping them from transporting iron pipes to use in supporting the tent. Protesters including Yıldız sat on the pipes while police tried to move them out of the square. He was dragged on the ground when he resisted moving.

Officers also used pressurized water and pepper spray to try and disperse the crowd assembled at the square in the southeastern province.

Following the incident, BDP co-leader Selahattin Demirtaş met with security forces. He also told a group of journalists that BDP supporters had gathered in the square to set up a “democratic solution” tent. "The police have seized materials needed to set up the tent [from the BDP supporters]," Demirtaş said. "Nobody’s property can be seized without a court decision. [In this case], the governor’s order is being executed."

Demirtaş also said they would go to the garden of the governor’s building to set up the tent as they were not allowed to do it elsewhere. Police, however, did not allow the group to move to another location.


/Hurriyet Daily News/