Erdogan warns protesters

Ahead of planned protests Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned police would clamp down on anyone defying a ban on demonstrations at Istanbul's symbolic Taksim Square.

"If you go there, our security forces have received clear-cut instructions and will do whatever is necessary from A to Z," Erdogan told thousands of supporters at an Istanbul rally on Saturday.

"You will not be able to take to (Taksim) like you did last year because you are obliged to abide by the laws... If you do not, the state will do whatever is necessary for its security," he added.

Opposition groups had called for a demonstration in the evening on Taksim Square where the conflict flared a year ago.

What began last year as a small campaign to save Istanbul's Gezi Park from redevelopment mushroomed into a revolt against Prime Minister Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted government.

In the heavy-handed police crackdown, at least seven people died and thousands were injured.

Police out in force

Turkish police reported that up to 25,000 police officers as well as dozens of water cannon trucks and armored vehicles were due to be deployed across Istanbul on Saturday to prevent demonstrators from reaching the square especially from the main shopping street and artery, Istiklal Caddesi.

The Dogan news agency said ferries across the Bosporus, the waterway dividing the city, would stop operating in the afternoon.

On Friday, Erdogan urged young Turks to stay away from the planned demonstrations by "terrorist organizations."

"One year later, people, including so-called artists, are calling for demonstrations, but you, Turkey's youth, you will not respond to the call," he told a crowd of a thousand young people in Istanbul.

One year on, the political tensions born out of the Gezi revolt continue to simmer with a succession of crises over the last 12 months renewing anger at Erdogan's leadership. The premier has faced criticism for muzzling the press, curbing the Internet, allegations of complicity in a corruption scandal and a mine tragedy that killed more than 300 people.

However, despite the unrest a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) victory in March 30 local elections boosted Erdogan's grip on power.

hc/msh (AFP, AP, dpa)