Protesters partly remove playground near Atatürk's mausoleum amid controversy

ANKARA

A group of protesters partly removed a controversial playground constructed near the mausoleum of the Republic of Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the capital Ankara, Anıtkabir, on Sept. 24 after it prompted anger on social media.

The group, which included protesters from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and members of some NGOs, headed toward the mausoleum's gate, chanting slogans.

CHP Çankaya district head Selçuk Dereli said in a statement that they would not allow any disrespect to the mausoleum with the installment of the playground, adding it was not an appropriate place to construct a playground.

Some protesters later removed swings at the playground by their own means.

Dereli also stated that the Anıtkabir Commandship would initiate works to remove the playground completely after facing angry reaction.

On Sept, 23, the Ankara Chamber of Architects had issued a statement concerning the installment of the playground, with head Tezcan Karakuş Candan saying they have filed a written request with the Protection Council and the Anıtkabir Commandership for the removal of the playground and will file a criminal complaint against those who have committed such “disrespect.”