Clashes in Turkey after protesters disrupt rally by pro-Kurdish HDP
The newest unrest came a day after assailants fired on an HDP campaign vehicle in the southern city of Adana, killing the driver and adding to a pattern of violence against politicians or political parties ahead of Sunday's general election.
The trouble in Erzurum began after a large group of protesters began a march to disrupt an HDP rally in the city’s Istasyon Square, attended by some 2,000 supporters gathered to hear party leader Selahattin Demirtas.
Police units sent in to control the protesters opened with tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds, many of them reportedly waving Turkish flags and chanting “this is Erzurum, there is no way out from here,” an apparent threat to the pro-Kurdish party.
A police officer was wounded during the confrontation with protesters, the Today's Zaman newspaper reported on its website. It said some protesters also were hurt in clashes with police after they tried to stop an ambulance from reaching the wounded officer.
"There are only three days left,” Demirtas told the rally, referring to the elections. “We will continue to work with patience, without allowing provocations,” he vowed.
There have been dozens of attacks against the HDP in the run-up to the polls. In the largest, six people were wounded in two bomb attacks on party offices in the southern province of Adana and Mersin in May.
The election has turned into a showdown between the HDP and the ruling AKP party’s biggest champion, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He wants to change the constitution to go from head of state to head of government, and to instill the presidency with near total power.
The HDP, which is fighting for the 10 percent of the votes any party needs to secure a seat in parliament, has vowed to stop Erdogan.
For the first time in Turkish history, a pro-Kurdish party holds the key to what is seen as Turkey´s most critical elections ever.
Rudaw
