Turkey Mine Explosion: PM's Aide Pictured Kicking Protester in Mining Town

A protester is kicked by Yusuf Yerkel, advisor to Tayyip Erdogan,
as Special Forces officers hold him down

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Recep Tayyip Erdogan is embroiled in row after an aide was seen kicking a grieving relative during scuffles while visiting the Soma mine disaster

Fury has erupted in Turkey after a close aide to the Recep Tayyip Erdogan brutally assaulted a man thought to be grieving for relatives in the mining town where almost 300 people lost their lives underground.

Mr Erdogan, who has led Turkey for 11 years, was visibly shocked by the hostile reaction in Soma during a visit on Wednesday when he was forced to take refuge at a supermarket.

Video published in Turkey showed scuffles around the prime minister and one of his staff, Yusuf Yerkel, kicking a man being held down by paramilitary police. Mr Yerkel, who was a PhD candidate at Soas in 2010, told BBC Turkish that he would be making a statement about the image on Thursday.

The angry crowds in Soma called Mr Erdogan a murderer and thief and booed strongly. » | Damien McElroy | Thursday, May 15, 2014