Turkey: Over 100 detained in anti-NATO protests ahead of summit

ANKARA, July 5 (CNA) -- Turkish authorities detained more than 100 protesters on Saturday who were participating in an anti-NATO demonstration organized by the Communist Party of Turkey, the party said in a statement. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit is set to be held in Turkey.

Reuters reported that Turkey will host the NATO summit in the capital Ankara on July 7-8, with leaders from 32 member states and officials from NATO partner countries in attendance. Authorities have stepped up security measures across Ankara ahead of the summit, banning demonstrations and setting up large roadblocks and closing roads in the city center.

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) stated in its announcement that they organized a protest march in Kizilay Square in the center of Ankara, but more than 100 party members, including cadres, were detained.

Video footage showed protesters waving flags and chanting slogans such as "Murderous NATO, get out of our country" and "NATO, this road is blocked," while riot police intervened and dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

In addition to central Ankara, the Communist Party of Turkey also organized demonstrations in Istanbul, where hundreds marched from Taksim Square to Dolmabahce. Furthermore, two demonstrations organized by leftist groups took place in Kadikoy, Istanbul. Despite a heavy police presence in Istanbul, no clashes occurred during the protests.

Kemal Okuyan, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Turkey, said in Istanbul: "Today, we gathered in several places in Turkey to protest NATO. We said that we would not hand over Ankara to those who serve NATO, nor allow Ankara to remain silent. Today, we have fulfilled that promise." (Intern trainee translator: Tsai Ya-jung / Editor: Chen Yi-wei) 1150706

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