Istanbul/Ankara (AA)
Turkish police withdrew from Istanbul'sTakism Gezi Park following the protests of redevelopment plans of the park where an Ottoman era military barrack could be built.
Protesters wanted to walk to Besiktas district to gather in Dolmabahce, where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office is located after the police had removed barricades and pulled backed .
A police car was set on fire and a group of of protesters who wanted to block the roads in Besiktas district were dispersed by police intervention using tear gas.
Meanwhile, the police intervened in the protestors in central Ankara, Turkish capital who wanted to protest the demolition of Taksim Gezi Park. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd throwing rocks to the police.
Main opposition Republican People's Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu attended the protests in Ankara as well as famed actors and actresses.
Ankara Provincial Health Department said the allegations of one of the protestors having died did not reflect the truth.
Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler said more than 90 protests were held in 48 separate provinces and 936 people were arrested adding several of them would be released after being questioned.
The protests initially started as a sit in Taksim Gezi Park to protest the demolition but turned into big clashes after police crackdown and heavy use of tear gas and water cannon.
Protesters express concerns that a shopping center will be built in the park saying it is one of the few green places left in Istanbul.
