Police prevent union members from gathering in front of TurkStat building

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Police today (June 9) prevented Birleşik Kamu-İş public employees union members from gathering in front of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) office in the capital city of Ankara.

The union members were prevented because "the governor's office did not permit the gathering." They wanted to make a statement for the press to criticize TurkStat for its "inaccurate" figures.

The statistical authority has long been criticized for its inflation and unemployment figures.

As the union members attempted to read out a statement, several of them, including Mehmet Balık, the head of the union, were detained.

While detaining the union members, police officers prevented journalists from filming the incident using their shields.

"No one is superior to the Constitution"

Releasing a statement for the express, the union said, "No power is superior to the Constitution and the citizens of the Republic."

"TurkStat, which has become the mouthpiece of the ruling power, is robbing you of your rights, are you aware of that? You cannot carry out an order that is above the Constitution and regulations," the statement said, addressing the police.

TurkStat announced that the inflation rate in May was 73.50 percent. (HA/VK)