Turkey says lawbreakers at protests to face four years in jail

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu unveiled Tuesday details of a sweeping security reform branded as repressive by critics, saying those in possession of banned objects at protests would face up to four years in jail, AFP reported.

The changes were first announced last week by the Islamic-rooted government following deadly protests in Istanbul and the Kurdish-majority southeast over Turkey's Syria policy.

Davutoglu said the legislation is aimed at ending the ambiguity over the use in demonstrations of "weapons of violence," including Molotov cocktails, stones and other sharp objects.

Those protestors possessing such objects -- not currently regarded as a crime -- will be detected and banned from entering rallies.

Police will be able to arrest those suspected of possessing such objects at a protest, and those convicted could face up to four years in jail, he added.

"Molotov cocktails are weapons of violence. If someone sets fire to ambulances, libraries, mosques or Koranic institutions by throwing Molotov cocktails... we cannot call this freedom," Davutoglu told a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara.

He said the bill calls for stricter punishment for offenders wearing masks to conceal their identity, damaging public property, as well as resisting the police.

The detention time limit will be doubled to 48 hours, Davutoglu said.