Turkey strays from its democratic traditions - by Oz Bengur

As the Arab Spring unfolded in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East, Turkey was held out as a model for how Islam and democracy could co-exist. This week's massive civil unrest in Turkey, erupting over the destruction of the Gezi Park in Istanbul's center, raises the broader question of whether that model is viable.

Turkish PM Recep Tayip Erdogan

The response to the protests has been harsh. Police liberally used tear gas and water hoses in a counterproductive attempt to quell the unrest. Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan was dismissive of the protesters' demands and, showing his characteristic pugilism (he is a former boxer), called the protesters "bums."

Not unlike other leaders who've fallen recently in the Middle East, Mr. Erdogan dismisses the legitimate concerns that sparked the protests, which quickly spread to the capital, Ankara, and half of the country's provinces. Mr. Erdogan is increasingly seen as autocratic and conducting what many in Turkey regard as a premeditated assault on its secular democracy.

Note EU-Digest:  Police are said to have raided 38 addresses in the western port city of Izmir and detained 25 people on suspicion of stirring insurrection on social media.

Izmir Deputy Prosecutor Ali Haydar confirmed that a detention order was issued for 38 people, but declined to give information on charges or how many were detained.

The Erdogan Government blames foreign media for reporting protests while protestors blame Turkish media for not reporting.

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