Turkey: Police Detain 12 at Istanbul Pride March, All Released

Police in Istanbul detained 12 people during a banned LGBTQ+ pride march on Sunday. All detainees were later released. Authorities used handcuffs and prevented the group from meeting friends. Detainees were also taken to multiple hospitals, according to one participant. The person stated: “Your reverse handcuffs, your detentions for possibly taking part in the march, your dragging us from hospital to hospital so we cannot meet our friends… None of it worked.” The annual Trans Onur Yürüyüşü (Trans Pride March) is not permitted by local authorities. Despite the ban, activists continue to gather each year. The brief detentions did not stop the demonstration.