Istanbul to protest against extension of state of emergency

Turkish police cordoned off Taksim Square in Istanbul in connection with expected protests against the extension of the emergency state, Turkish media reported.

 According to the media, the police blocked all entrances to Taksim Square without exception.

The Turkish opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) said that it will hold protest rallies in all provinces of the country against extension of the state of emergency.

The protest rallies will start today at 12:00 (GMT +3). CHP İstanbul Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu said that a sit-in will take place at Taksim Square in İstanbul at noon as well.

Earlier, the CHP demanded that the Turkish government abolish the state of emergency.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said that the state of emergency will be extended in Turkey.  In January 2018, the emergency state in Turkey was extended for the sixth time.

The state of emergency was introduced in Turkey after the military coup attempt in 2016. The death toll as a result of the coup attempt stood at over 250 people, and more than 2,000 people were wounded.