ISTANBUL
The Istanbul police has announced that 92 people have been released among the 154 people detained Saturday during unauthorized demonstrations to mark the anniversary of last year's Gezi Park protests.
“154 people were taken into custody on Saturday -- mainly protesters throwing fireworks, molotov cocktails and batons at police officers,” said a statement released by the Istanbul Police Department on Sunday.
92 of the detained have been released by prosecutor’s order whereas 62 remain in custody, the statement said.
Protester groups gathered on Saturday to mark the anniversary of last year's Gezi Park protests.
At least 11 police officers were wounded during the protests and another 12 civilians were taken to hospital. Among the wounded are an officer injured by a bullet and two officers wounded by molotov cocktails thrown by protesters, police sources said.
“A total of 23 vehicles -- 9 of which were police vehicles -- were damaged by protesters who threw rocks and molotov cocktails.”
According to the statement, police have also confiscated materials including 27 molotov cocktails, various sizes of iron and glass slingshot at police, 14 gas masks and some fireworks.
The original Gezi Park protests began as a small environmental demonstration on May 31, 2013, and turned into nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The protests erupted after the government moved to implement a redevelopment plan for nearby Taksim Square which reportedly included replacing part of Gezi Park with a mall.
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