Istanbul police detain dozens of people trying to enter closed square

Istanbul police detained several dozen people who resisted them and tried to enter blocked areas in the central part of the city, in particular Taksim Square. The police used tear gas against May Day protesters, Report informs via TASS.

Turkish NTV noted that there have been no casualties yet.

Earlier, Halk TV said that several dozen people were detained for resisting the police.

The police urge demonstrators through loudspeakers not to disturb public order. In response, stones, plastic bottles and other objects are thrown from the crowd towards the law enforcement officers.

The Istanbul authorities banned the May Day march of trade unions and representatives of political parties in Taksim, blocking the square with metal barriers and deploying riot police along its perimeter. In total, about 70 streets are blocked, and roads leading to Taksim are closed to traffic.

Over 42,000 police officers have been deployed to ensure security in Istanbul.