Istanbul Cracks Down on May Day Protests Amid Political Turmoil
Istanbul’s authorities took significant measures on Wednesday to preempt May Day demonstrations, closing metro trains, buses, and Bosphorous ferries, effectively paralyzing Turkey’s largest city. The government reported the arrest of 100 individuals allegedly planning protests at Taksim Square, a site where demonstrations have been banned since 2013 following violent clashes.
Tensions are mounting as the government faces off against the main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). This political discord heightened after the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the CHP’s presidential candidate and Istanbul’s mayor, who is a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Since protests erupted in 2013, resulting in eight fatalities, the government has restricted gatherings in Taksim, including for significant occasions like Labour Day and Pride marches.
Starting Wednesday evening, local authorities shut down seven metro stations and several bustling bus and streetcar stops. The crackdown extends to the Kadikoy district, where unions planned a rally. Key locations like the Palace of Justice and municipal headquarters were also cordoned off. The Istanbul chief prosecutor issued arrest warrants for 108 people in a bid to quell potential unrest.
Rights group Amnesty International criticized the government’s actions, labeling the rationale for the restrictions as "spurious." Amnesty’s Dinushika Dissanayake emphasized the urgent need to lift the ban on demonstrations, noting a 2023 ruling by Turkey’s Constitutional Court that deemed the restrictions violated the rights to freedom of assembly.
As Istanbul braces for protests, Taksim Square remains sealed with metal barriers and a heavy police presence, underscoring a climate of tension and dissent leading up to May Day celebrations.
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