Summary The United States cautioned Turkish authorities against seeking to punish any demonstrators.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday cautioned Turkish authorities against seeking to punish any demonstrators merely for exercising their right to free speech.
Nationwide unrest in Turkey first erupted after police cracked down heavily on May 31 on a campaign to save an Istanbul park from redevelopment, spiraling into mass displays of anger against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The under-fire prime minister on Wednesday met with protest representatives after a night of heavy clashes as police battled to retake an Istanbul square which has become the focal point of the protests.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States had been following the events "with great concern."
"We re troubled by any attempts to punish individuals for exercising their right to free speech, and we condemn attempts by any party to provoke violence," she told reporters.
"We believe that Turkey s long-term stability, security and prosperity is best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association and a free and independent media.
"And we expect the Turkish authorities to uphold those freedoms."
