Police Detains Children on Children’s National Day

Police detained 4 children for chanting “Berkin Elvan is immortal” during Istanbul’s official April 23 celebrations attended by Governor Mutlu. 

The incident took place as Governor Mutlu headed toward the podium for an award ceremony. 

The aforementioned children initially faced an intervention by security guards. Riot police officers detained the children by holding them from their feet and arms, transferring them to a building nearby. 

While the ceremony continued without an interruption, loud speakers filled the chants of the four children. 

During the intervention, media representatives took photos - an attempt initially blocked by the police and protested by journalists. 

According to CNNTürk, the forth child was detained again after the detention of the other three. 

Similar previous incidents 

On several occations, Turkey’s workers have faced police violence on May Day. 

“There will be no tolerations on major crowds’ demonstrations. No matter what, our police forces will intervene,” said Vice PM Bülent Arınç on a press inquiry on May Day celebrations in Taksim Square.

Similarly, police broke up Teacher’s Day parades on November 24 with water cannon and tear gas, leaving union members Aslı Akdemir and Cebrail Bektaş injured. 

“The government’s gift to teachers turns out to be tear gas and water cannons,” Eğitim Sen Union member Betül Öztürk Korkut said. 

Also on International Women’s Day, police barricaded the feminist night parade in Taksim Square, banning women to make a press statement. (AS/BM) 

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.