Turkish police detain 40 for intending to march at banned Pride event

Turkish police arrested at least 40 individuals on Sunday, accusing them of intending to participate in the LGTBI Pride March in Istanbul. The march, traditionally held on June 28, has been banned since 2015.

The Ministry of Interior declared a total ban on marches and demonstrations for the day. Police suspended metro and funicular services near Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, common protest locations. Barriers were erected around the central area, similar to measures used for feminist and labor marches.

Prohibitions extended to the Kadikoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul, where marches had previously occurred despite bans. Police detained five people in Kadikoy for chanting Pride-related slogans. Officers then removed numerous individuals from cafes in the area, believing they intended to protest, leading to approximately 40 arrests, according to the Evrensel newspaper.

Separately, detentions continue in Ankara, where raids have targeted groups opposing NATO. Ahead of a NATO summit in the Turkish capital on July 7-8, 236 people have been sent to pre-trial detention on charges such as "links to terrorism."