Hundreds protest against Turkey PM Erdogan on visit to France

LYON (AFP) - Hundreds protested against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the French city of Lyon on Saturday as he visited Europe ahead of an expected bid for the presidency.

Organisers said 1,000 people took part in the protest organised by pro-democracy and minority groups near a local government office, where Mr Erdogan met regional officials. The police said there were about 500 protesters.

"His government is authoritarian. It scorns democracy by violently repressing peaceful demonstrations and minorities. It is not normal that he comes to the country of human rights," said Mr Mehmet Demirbas, the head of a local cultural centre for the Alevi community in Lyon.

The community, which follows a moderate form of Islam and accounts for 10 to 15 million of Turkey's 76 million citizens, has frequently clashed with Mr Erdogan's government.

Mr Erdogan is touring European countries with large Turkish populations ahead of a widely expected run for the presidency in August. As many as 10,000 people demonstrated in Vienna when he visited Austria earlier this week.

The Prime Minister has been accused of autocratic tendencies at home in Turkey, but is still expected to win the presidency.

Mr Erdogan was to later meet members of Lyon's Turkish community.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.