Istanbul Courthouse Protest Ban Begins With Water Cannons

A team of police officers and intervention tanks casted gas bombs and used water cannons against a bunch of protestors who were peacefully gathering on the steps of Istanbul Courthouse. The group, Halk Cephesi (People's Front) assembled every Wednesday noon for the past 13 weeks to protest arbitrary arrests and apartment raids.

"They told us that we couldn't remain here and should leave the courtyard immediately. We were confronted with gas bombs as we said that we were peacefully gathering here for the past 13 weeks. They casted gas bombs and sprayed water through intention vehicles," Yeliz Yılmaz, an activist, told bianet.

Yılmaz added that they will file a complaint regarding the matter.

bianet previously interviewed Ateş Hasan, Istanbul Courthouse's interim chief prosecutor and spokesperson, who denied allegations that the courtyard would be blocked to press statements. 

However, a regulation released by Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Turan Çolakkadı on May 2 said that "demonstrations and press statements around the courtyard would not be allowed anymore" and "preventive measures would be taken otherwise".

Reacting to the police intervention, advocate Ceren Uysal told bianet that they will apply to the General Attorney's Office to find out about the case and appeal to the regulation if the allegations are true. (AS/BM)