Istanbul police have detained at least 50 people after a pride organized by the local LGBT community, Reuters reported . Another 44 people were detained while trying to hold a pride in Izmir. Amnesty International's regional office said at least one person was injured.
According to Reuters, on June 25, Istanbul police in full gear blocked access to Istiklal Avenue, the traditional site of the pride, as well as to Taksim Square. Public transport in the area did not work. As a result, several hundred activists with flags gathered elsewhere and then marched through the streets.
Al Jazeera reported that activists from Alperen Hearths, a youth organization affiliated with the ultra-nationalist Islamist Grand Union Party (BBP), threatened to disperse the pride. “Even if the state allows them to march, we will not. In any case, we will prevent this, ”a representative of the organization told reporters.
Earlier in June, Istanbul Mayor Davut Gul warned that any activity that threatened the "traditional family" would be stopped. For the first time, the city authorities banned the holding of the pride in 2015.
