ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Seventeen people were detained following a fresh protest at Taksim’s Gezi Park on July 30, including a German citizen.

A group of people began lying down on the ground at the park, which prompted police forces to sweep the park and detain them. One German citizen, Klaus Müller, was also detained after responding to the Beyoğlu municipality workers who were collecting symbolic tomb stones placed at the park in memory of the five people who were killed during the course of the protests.

Müller, a human rights activist, was reportedly chanting in English and German as he was hauled away by the police.

In addition to events at Gezi, a wave of raids hit five cities across the country on July 30 as well, with 19 people being detained in connection to previous protests.

The authorities have opened and shut down the park several times for the past weeks, with the most recent scuffle being caused over the weekend after a group attempted to organize a fast-breaking iftar meal at Taksim’s sole green spot.