Police uses pepper gas to stop crowds celebrating Republic Day

Tension escalates in Republic Day celebrations in Ankara

Groups looking to celebrate the Republic Day holiday at the first Parliament Assembly building, an act banned by the Ankara governorship, have gathered in Ulus Square.

Police attempted to disperse the crowd with pepper gas and sprayed pressurized water on the broadcasting vehicles of reporters covering the event, daily Hürriyet has reported.

The struggle between the crowd and police continues.

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu arrived to Ulus Square following the official ceremony in Anıtkabir. Kılıçdaroğlu had wanted to pass through security barriers, however, police forces refused to allow him through. He and his bodyguards were also subjected to pepper gas. There has reportedly been a struggle between Kılıçdaroğlu’s bodyguards and the security forces on hand.

Tension rises at this year’s Republic Day celebrations

Meanwhile, local gendarmerie forces stopped and searched numerous buses carrying crowds looking to participate in celebrations for the Oct. 29 National Republic Day holiday in the Turkish capital of Ankara earlier today.

Gendarmerie forces reportedly refused to allow 110 buses from entering the city due to security reasons.

This year there have been angry reactions to the Ankara governorship’s ban on Republic Day celebrations.

However, a group of NGOs and the Republican People’s Party (CHP) are planning to gather in front of the first Parliament Assembly building for celebrations.

Strict security preventions have been taken throughout the city where 5,000 police officers are on duty today.

29.10.2012
SOURCE: HDN