Turkish police have arrested hundreds of protesters who participated in the protests that took place in Istanbul on the occasion of May Day.
The rallies were accompanied by strict measures by the Turkish police, aimed at preventing marches and demonstrations in the emblematic Taksim Square.
The Istanbul Prefecture announced that 384 protesters were arrested and that 52,656 police officers were mobilized on the ground. However, some media outlets and opposition organizations increased the number of those arrested to 400, including nine lawyers.
The arrests were carried out mainly in the Mecidiyeköy, Sisli and Besiktas neighborhoods, on the European side of Istanbul. Historically, Taksim Square remains in the collective memory of the Turkish public as a symbol of the May Day rallies, as more than 34 demonstrators were killed there in 1977.
The chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, was also present at these rallies. "If squares like Taksim are held hostage, blocked, then there is authoritarianism in the country. Looking at Taksim Square today, the government's insecurity is obvious," Özel said.
Since early morning, all roads in central Istanbul, on the European side of the city, were blocked. Some roads began to reopen to traffic at noon, however most roads, especially those leading to Taksim Square, will remain closed until late at night in a large area throughout central Istanbul on the European side, as will metro stations.
On the Asian side, Kandikioi was blocked, where the central meeting of the left-wing unions DISK and KESK, which include public employees, was held.
Meanwhile, in Kartal, a meeting of pro-government unions was held, under the rule of the Turk-Is.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said demonstrations are allowed in the districts of Kandikioi and Kartal, on the Asian coast. (A2 Televizion)
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