Turkey releases arrested May 1 protesters
World
By
AFP
| May 02, 2026
Turkish authorities have released more than 500 protesters arrested at May Day rallies in Istanbul, a lawyers' association said Saturday.
Police cracked down on Friday's demonstrations, firing tear gas to break them up and arresting hundreds of people.
All 576 people arrested were released by Saturday morning, including union official Basaran Aksu, the lawyers' association CHD said on X.
The association's Istanbul branch had deployed members into the city's streets to document arrests and aid those detained.
The Istanbul governor's office put the number of arrests at 575.
READ MORE
KDC roots for creative economy, innovation and youth-led enterprise growth
Gulf Energy at the centre of yet another 'dirty fuel' drama
Dangote eyes Kenya as hub to raise African capital for refinery, other projects
Treasury trims economic growth forecast to 5pc on Middle East conflict
Port players protest levy on nuclear screening
State targets 192,259 new housing units despite unmet promises
What revival of Voi-Taveta railway line means for local, regional trade
Nairobi joins global cities call for new shift to renewable energy
Another 47 people were arrested on April 28 ahead of the planned May Day rallies, of whom four have been placed in custody and nine on house arrest, CHD said.
The demonstrations were concentrated around Taksim Square, which the authorities have closed to rallies since a massive wave of anti-government protests in 2013.
Aksu had condemned the authorities for imposing a lockdown on the square, a symbolic site often used for mass gatherings in Turkey.
"You can't close off a square to the workers of Turkey," he said just before his arrest.
"Everyone uses Taksim, for official ceremonies, for celebrations. Only the labourers, the workers, the poor find the square closed to them."
May Day, which celebrates workers and the working classes, sees a major police deployment in Turkey every year, with a large area in the heart of Istanbul sealed off.
Unions and civil society associations had called for the May 1 rallies under the slogan "Bread. Peace. Freedom."
MOST READ
KDC roots for creative economy, innovation and youth-led enterprise growth
BUSINESS
By James Wanzala