Turkish Police Still Using Force On Protestors, And Erdogan Calls For Democracy In Egypt

While Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is arguing for the swift implementation of democracy in Egypt, Turkish police officers are still using violent force to disperse protestors attempting to defy an order to close the park in Takism Square.

Erdogan’s call for democracy comes after a military coup saw Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, ousted.

On Monday, Istanbul Gov. Huseyin Avni Mutlu announced the reopening of Gezi Park, three weeks after riot police kicked the protestors out in an effort, if violent force dare be called an effort, to end the protests -- only for the park to be closed again hours later when protest leaders called an evening rally.

But speaking on Egypt, Erdogan said:

“Those who exert efforts to cover up coups and remain silent to them were as responsible as the coup makers,” he said, going back to Turkish history for point emphasis. “Coup makers in Turkish history have succeeded in taking over administrations, but never reached their ultimate goals. Leaders and supporters of coups in Egypt must remember those realities from Turkish history. Morsi made mistakes; he can make mistakes. Is there anyone who did not make any mistake? It is the people who are paying the price.”

Yes, yes, they are. Turkey’s citizens are definitely paying the price, too.