Dozens arrested in Istanbul ahead of May Day celebrations

Nearly 40 people, including journalists, trade unionists, and opposition figures, were arrested in Istanbul on 28 April ahead of International Workers' Day on 1 May.

The Istanbul prosecutor's office confirmed that arrest and search warrants had been issued for 62 people, with 46 considered likely to carry out attacks.

Of these, 39 were detained in Istanbul and the nearby Kocaeli area.

Police conducted raids at the home of lawyer Serhat Alan and at the offices of opposition newspapers Özgür Gelecek and Yeni Demokrasi, reportedly forcing entry by kicking down doors.

Custody documents concerning 46 people were presented to the lawyer during the search.

Due to a 24-hour confidentiality order on the case, access to lawyers has been restricted.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), the third-largest party in the Turkish parliament, condemned the operations, describing them as targeting leftist, socialist, and student organisations ahead of 1 May.

The party stated that numerous members had been taken into custody and warned that these actions aimed to shrink democratic political space and could deepen social tensions.

International Workers' Day is traditionally marked by significant police presence in Turkey, particularly around Istanbul's Taksim Square, which is often sealed off in advance.

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