BBC News, 3
July 2013
Protests over plans to redevelop Taksim Square and Gezi Park quickly mushroomed into wider unrest |
Turkish
protests
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A Turkish
court has ruled against an Istanbul construction project that triggered
nationwide unrest, it has been revealed.
The plan to
redevelop Taksim Square was blocked by the court in a ruling made on 8 June -
as anti-government protests raged.
It is
unclear why the ruling has only now been released.
The Taksim
Square issue served as a lightning rod for a far wider range of protesters'
grievances.
Mass
protests began in late May and continued for much of June.
Four people
including a policeman were killed, and up to 8,000 were wounded in the
protests, and lawyers are investigating complaints of heavy-handed policing.
Campaigners'
victory
In its
verdict, the administrative court said the government's plan to get rid of Gezi
Park - close to Taksim Square - and replace it with a replica of an Ottoman-era
military barracks would not serve the public.
It also
ruled against a pedestrianisation project for the square, said reports.
The
government is expected to appeal against the ruling, but it marks a victory for
environmental campaigners, says the BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul.
Thousands
of demonstrators camped out in the park for more than two weeks before they
were evicted by the police.
Police
officers posted on the edge of the park now stop anyone from getting back in.
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