Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. Photo: Wikipedia.

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister apologized Tuesday for his country’s initial response to protestors in Istanbul’s Taksim Gezi Park, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Bülent Arınç offered the apologies to injured protesters “with environmental concerns” during a speech. But he also added that the government did not “feel like they owed anything to those who cause harm.”

Arınç said that the initial protests, sparked by anger over the demolition of a park in Istanbul’s central Taksim district, were “legitimate and patriotic.”

“Our citizens showed their legitimate, logical and righteous reaction at Gezi Park,” he said.

However, Arınç urged citizens to not let these groups’ demands be spoiled by “marginal and illegal groups.”