Turkey cites Germany as model for tougher measures against protests

Ankara, 14 October 2014 (MIA) - The Turkish government has announced that it will look to Germany’s criminal code as a template for plans to further empower security forces, following recent demonstrations against Ankara’s policies in Syria that left more than 35 people dead, local media reported on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc said the government reviewed planned legislation for tougher measures aimed at curbing street violence and vandalism.

"We take the European Union acquis as basis for a lot of legislation that we are adopting," he said, adding that the Cabinet has decided to examine EU member countries’, implementation for the planned “comprehensive homeland security reform.”

“It has been decided to adopt their practices into Turkey’s conditions by perhaps taking their authorities as a basis, perhaps giving priority to Germany,” he said.

Arınc emphasized that Ankara’s plans were in line with EU reforms that a membership candidate such as Turkey should implement.