Police use tear gas and rubber bullets at Istanbul Pride

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

It is being reported that riot police have violently dispersed Istanbul Pride, and arrested participants.

Photos show police in riot gear using heavy-handed means to control crowds in on of Turkey’s most prominent and well known cities.

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A PinkNews reader in Turkey said: “Police are using tear gas and rubber bullets to attack LGBT people during pride.”

Some officers have justified their actions due to the march taking place during Ramadan.

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Another PinkNews reader Gizem Paksoy said: “I actually have no idea why they started attacking. No warning, nothing.

“They started to use water cannons. People spreaded around and they chased people in the streets.”

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Turkey is an officially secular, but majority Muslim country, although it is often see as slightly more progressive than other Muslim states.

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More to follow.

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