Erdogan Calls Protests Conspiracy, Vows to Strengthen Police
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Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the main opposition party of inciting weeks of protests and vowed to strengthen police in “every way” to fight a “conspiracy” by traitors and foreign agitators.
Earlier today, Turkish police raided homes in Istanbul and Ankara, rounding up 85 people suspected of violence against police, Interior Minister Muammer Guler said. Overnight, they fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of protesters in Ankara. The European Union has denounced the use of force by police, and today, members of the European Parliament canceled a planned visit.