Turkish police fire tear gas, arrest dozens at May Day rallies

On May 1, 2026, Turkish police fired tear gas and arrested nearly 200 people during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul. Two groups were singled out after signaling their intention to march to Taksim Square, which had been sealed off by police. The president of the Turkish Workers' Party, Erkan Bas, was seen engulfed in pepper spray and condemned the lockdown of the square. A large deployment of riot police was observed in central Istanbul.