Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair and Mardin MP Ahmet Türk has been brought to hospital after fainting as a result of the tear gas thrown by police into the crowd intending to celebrate Newroz in Batman.

From his hospital bed the Kurdish politician said that "we are ready to pay any price for our people's freedom. Nobody - he added - has the right to deprive people of its freedom and rights".

Türk was visited by many BDP colleagues and friends, while outside the hospital a crowd gathered to wish the deputy well.

"I am proud - Türk said - of the resistance and the pride shown once again by my people".