VIDEO: Police intervene in May Day lawyers’ protest in Istanbul courthouse

The lawyers of the protesters who were detained during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul on May 1 gathered in Istanbul’s Çağlayan courthouse. Upon speculations of a possible press statement, tension rose between security forces and lawyers. Police forces then intervened, with some lawyers almost crushed as the intervention intensified. The lawyers were forced out of the courthouse with riot shields.

Some lawyers then staged a sit in outside the court after they had been banned access to the courthouse. Security forces ultimately withdrew and allowed access when the lawyers assured that they would not make a statement. 

A total of 408 people were detained during the nationwide May Day demonstrations, according to the Security General Directorate’s latest statement. However, a report on the abuse of rights in the May Day demonstrations, prepared by the group, Lawyers for Justice, revealed that 452 people were detained.