(AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN)
The Egyptian consulate in Istanbul will remain open 24 hours a day in order to allow Egyptian citizens to take refuge due to the on-going clashes between protesters and security forces in the centre of the city. The consulate denied that an Egyptian citizen had been injured in the clashes.
Egyptian ambassador to Turkey Wafaa El-Hadidi made the decision after “several Egyptian citizens asked to take shelter for the night in the consulate” as they were unable to return to their homes, according to a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
The ministry statement also warned Egyptian citizens to stay away from Taksim Square and the surrounding area, which is the focal point of the clashes. The ministry also published emergency contact numbers for the consulate in Istanbul.
The ministry denied reports that had circulated in Egyptian media that an Egyptian citizen was injured as a result of birdshot, which led to cranial bleeding. The consulate contacted the Turkish authorities who informed them that the injured woman was of another Arab nationality.
Riot police used teargas and water cannons to disperse a protest against plans to destroy Gezi Park to make way for a shopping centre. The protest escalated and has become anti-government in nature.
