ISTANBUL - The Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) has announced that approximately 350 people attempting to gather in Taksim Square on May Day have been detained.

 

Taksim Square in Istanbul was closed to entry and exit ahead of this year’s May Day following a decision by the governor’s office. Despite the decision, those attempting to reach the square were subjected to police violence and detained. 

 

According to a statement made by the Istanbul Branch of the Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) on its X account, 350 people attempting to reach Taksim Square were detained in Mecidiyeköy and Beşiktaş. 

 

Numerous political parties, labour and youth organisations, which refused to recognise the Istanbul Governorate’s ban on Taksim Square on May Day, had gathered in Mecidiyeköy and Beşiktaş to head to Taksim and were subsequently placed under siege. 

 

Fifteen members of the Revolutionary Youth Union (DGB) who wished to continue the protest after the statement were detained. Twenty members of the People’s Houses (HE) were detained after being surrounded. During this time, journalist Yusuf Çelik was also detained. In Beşiktaş, at least 37 members of the People’s Liberation Party (HKP) attempting to reach Taksim Square were also detained.