No fewer than 24 people including 6 police men have been
injured in Istanbul as police clashed with demonstrators during May Day
protests.
Turkish police say they have detained nearly 140 people
following the clashes.
BBC reports that some of the demonstrators threw stones and
set off fireworks near Taksim Square, a traditional rallying point for
left-wing protesters.
Opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have accused him
of repressive tactics ahead of elections in June and the May Day march was the
first major protest since the Turkish parliament passed a controversial law
giving police increased powers in March.
According to reports, the law widens powers to conduct
stop-and-search and detain demonstrators.
Also much of Istanbul's public transport had been shut down
because of security concerns.
Asides Istanbul, tens
of thousands of people also held a peaceful march in the Turkish capital
Ankara.
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