Police in the Turkish city of Istanbul have fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up a rally by the LGBT community.
Riot police surrounded the main Taksim Square on June 19 to prevent the “Trans Pride” rally of about 150 people, which had gathered to kick off a week of LGBT events. Demonstrations on the square have been banned since 2013.
Turkish media reported that at least two people were detained after riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Citing security concerns over ultra-nationalist warnings against any such events on Turkish soil, authorities announced on June 17 that transgender and gay pride marches had been banned this month.
Included in the restriction is Turkey's annual Gay Pride parade which was scheduled for June 26.
The ban throughout June also coincides with a crackdown by Turkish police during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
