Ankara says union strike 'illegal', warns of police action

Protesters planned nationwide union strike against police violence on anti-government demonstrators.

ANKARA: Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler said Monday's planned nationwide union strike in protest at police violence against anti-government demonstrators was "illegal", in the latest escalation of tensions in nearly three weeks of civil unrest.

"There is an attempt to bring people on to the streets through illegal protests like a strike," Guler told reporters in Ankara. "I want to state that it will not be permitted."