Protesters in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, have been attacked with tear gas and water cannons as police attempt to subdue thousands of protesters.
Parliamentary speaker Cemil Cicek claims that the protests, which have been raging across the country throughout the past week, are “under control,” according to RT.
The process “is becoming normalized and increasingly in line with common sense,” said Cicek.
At least 5,000 people have gathered in Kizilay Square, Ankara, according to RIA Novosti.
Witnesses reported that police targeted and detained “random” youth in the crowd as the clashes in Ankara occurred.
"We are ready to listen to all reasonable, legal and democratic demands," Cicek commented.
Police violence at a local protest in Gezi Park, Istanbul, sparked nationwide demonstrations against the current administration and the ruling group, the Islamist conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has been in power since 2002, according to the BBC.
The demonstrations have resulted in two dead protesters and one dead officer, as well as one brain-dead demonstrator currently surviving on machines. More than 3,000 have been injured.
The liberal, secular Republican People’s Party is frustrated with Prime Minister Erdogan’s authoritarian ruling tactics.