President Erdogan supporters hunt down, after referendum win

Following Sunday's referendum vote on constitutional changes, which was won by the Yes votes, protesters took to the streets to rally against against the result with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warning opposition parties that their attempts to challenge his referendum victory 'will be in vain'.
The warning comes after a shocking video from last night's demonstrations appeared to show a protester being attacked by pro-Erdogan Turks. In the clip, a person is chased down by a large group, who surround them and kick them to the ground.


The protesters believe the referendum was foul and victory was achieved through intimidation and fraud.

Thousands of Turks took the streets on Sunday in a rally to protest against the controversial victory banging pots and pans against the referendum, which could mean Erdogan remains in power till 2029. The protesters, many of them university students below the age of 30, wore colorful masks shouting “No!” and beat drums, pots and pans as they marched Istiklal Street in Istanbul.

 

The campaigners have also plastered the city walls with colorful graffiti depicting the Turkish president as a clown and showing a child weeping under the burning flag of Turkey. They also sang songs about freedom and democracy as they campaigned against the president.

The opposition parties on Monday morning complained of a number of irregularities in the voting, and were particularly angered by the electoral board decision on Sunday afternoon to accept ballots that did not bear the official stamp as valid.

'The Supreme Electoral Board changed rules mid-game, after the ballot envelopes were opened, in a way contrary to laws,' said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition People's Republican Party.

Speaking to his supporters on Sunday, Erdogan said: 'There are those who are belittling the result. They shouldn't try, it will be in vain. It's too late now.'
According to reports, 51.3 per cent voted for giving Erdogan more power, compared to 48.7 per cent for the 'no' vote.