Erdoğan says watching chaos on Europe’s streets with concern
Telling how he has been following coverage from Europe's streets with concern, Erdoğan said the scenes of the Yellow Vest protesters show that Europe has failed on democracy, human rights, and freedom. He said he opposes both the chaos caused by the protesters and the disproportionate force used against them.
- Türkiye
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 12:00 | 08 December 2018
- Modified Date: 06:25 | 08 December 2018
Turkey is watching with concern the European streets and opposes the 'excessive force' used against demonstrators, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday, referring to "Yellow Vest" protests.
"Those who accused our police of oppression should see what their police are doing now," Erdoğan said as he spoke of police intervening in the protests "in the toughest manner" in Paris and elsewhere.
The "scenes of chaos" show Europe has failed "the test on democracy, human rights, and freedom," Erdoğan told supporters at the opening ceremony of development projects in Istanbul's Üsküdar district.
The protest movement, sparked by planned fuel tax hikes in Paris, spread to Belgium and the Netherlands on its third weekend. Dozens were detained while police used tear gas to disperse protestors in both cities.
"These are the ones who remained silent against those who attempted to shed blood and set our streets on fire," Erdoğan said.