By: rferl.org
Source: http://www.rferl.org
A Turkish court has blocked an Istanbul building project that sparked nationwide anti-government protests.
News broke on July 3 that the plans to redevelop Taksim Square were canceled, but the authorities are expected to appeal the decision.
Reuters news agency quoted a lawyer for the plaintiffs as saying the court decision was made in early June. It was not clear why news of that ruling was not released until now.
The plan to cut down trees in the nearby Gezi Park, one of the few green areas in Istanbul, encountered resistance immediately.
Demonstrations against the construction grew into anti-government protests that spread across the country, lasting several weeks and involving hundreds of thousands of people.
Clashes between protesters and police left four people dead and some 7,500 injured.