Erdogan backs Ottoman replica in Istanbul's Gezi Park

President's comments come after court approves plan that led to 2013 protests

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday gave his backing to the redevelopment of Istanbul’s Gezi Park - a project that sparked nationwide protests aimed at overthrowing the government in 2013.

“One of the issues that we have to be brave [about] is Gezi Park in Taksim,” Erdogan said at a meeting on Istanbul’s heritage. “We will construct that historical building there.”

In May, the Council of State rejected an appeal by the Taksim Gezi Park Protection and Beautification Association that would have barred the building of a replica of an Ottoman artillery barracks in Taksim Square.

The Gezi Park protest spread across the country in June 2013, leaving eight protesters and one police officer dead and dozens injured. Hundreds were arrested.

The barracks - Topcu Kislasi - were originally built in 1780 and destroyed in 1940.

Kaynak:

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