JINHA

ISTANBUL – Of the 234 people arrested in police's attacks on Istanbul workers' attempts to celebrate May Day, 20 are still under arrest four days later.

The Modern Lawyers Association (ÇHD) announced in a late night Tweet that while 214 of those arrested in Istanbul have now been released, 20 have been formally arrested and are still under detention. The association is currently working on all legal options to get the arrestees released.

Yesterday evening, Istanbul police attacked a group of lawyers protesting the May Day detentions in Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse. When the lawyers of the arrested protestors gathered inside Çağlayan Courthouse, police who suspected them of wanting to give a press statement violently intervened in the courthouse. Police forced the group outside using riot shields. Some lawyers were nearly crushed underfoot. Lawyers then staged a sit-in outside the court. Police ultimately withdrew and allowed access when the lawyers assured police that they would not make a statement.

Reports indicate 408 were arrested nationwide during May Day demonstrations across Turkey. Another report, by the group Lawyers for Justice, lists 452 arrestees nationwide.

(gc/nt/cm)