Police detain 50 after Pride march in Istanbul

Source: Reuters

Police detain 50 after Pride march in Istanbul

Sun, June 25, 2023 at 12:59 PM EDT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police detained at least 50 people on Sunday after Istanbul's LGBT community held their annual Pride march.

The government led by President Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party has toughened its stance on LGBTQ+ freedoms. Speaking after his election victory in a runoff last month, Erdogan accused opposition parties of being "pro-LGBT".

On Sunday, police in riot gear prevented access to Istiklal Avenue, the traditional venue for Pride marches, as well as the central Taksim Square. Streets nearby were blockaded and public transport in the area was suspended.

On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of people carrying rainbow and transgender flags gathered instead in Mistik Park in the Sisli district.

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