Key facts
- Turkish authorities detained over 100 people during anti-NATO protests organized by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP).
- The protests occurred in Ankara ahead of a NATO summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Riot police used tear gas to disperse crowds during the demonstration in Kizilay square.
- Pro-Kurdish DEM Party and main opposition CHP criticized the detentions.
Turkish authorities detained more than 100 individuals participating in an anti-NATO protest march organized by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) on Sunday. The demonstration occurred in Ankara's central Kizilay square, just days before the capital is set to host a summit of NATO leaders and officials from partner countries on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Footage from the protest showed participants chanting slogans such as "Murderer NATO, get out of country" and "No passage to NATO." Riot police intervened to disperse the crowds, reportedly using tear gas. The TKP stated that over 100 party members, including administrators, were detained.
In Istanbul, the TKP organized a separate march from Taksim Square to Dolmabahce, and other leftist groups held two protests in the Kadikoy district. These Istanbul demonstrations proceeded without scuffles despite a significant police presence.
TKP Secretary General Kemal Okutan addressed the protests in Istanbul, emphasizing their opposition to NATO and their commitment to not allowing Ankara to remain silent. The government had not immediately commented on the detentions or the protests.
Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), criticized the detentions. Bakirhan described the situation as an "undeclared martial law" and unacceptable measures hindering basic rights, using the NATO summit as an excuse.