Turkish police detain at least 15 at Pride march in Ankara

A rainbow flag is seen on the ground as riot police officers prevent demonstrators from gathering for a Pride parade, which was banned by local authorities, in central Ankara, Turkey June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan

Turkish police detained at least 15 people at a small Pride march in the capital Ankara on Tuesday, Reuters footage showed, days after dozens were detained after authorities intervened with tear gas at a larger parade in Istanbul.

Video footage showed police officers dispersing those at the march, some of whom were waving rainbow flags, carrying banners and singing while walking through central streets.

On Saturday police in riot gear were among those intervening in central Istanbul, including pushing and dragging some people who had gathered for a Pride parade.

A demonstrator is detained by plain-clothes police officers as she tries to attend a Pride parade, which was banned by local authorities, in central Ankara, Turkey June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan

Turkish authorities have repeatedly banned Pride events in recent years. Before then, thousands of people used to take part in the parade.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)

Demonstrators scuffle with plain-clothes police officers as they try to gather for a Pride parade, which was banned by local authorities, in central Ankara, Turkey June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan

Demonstrators march as they try to gather for a Pride parade, which was banned by local authorities, in central in Ankara, Turkey June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan

An injured demonstrator hugs another as riot police officers prevent them from attending a Pride parade, which was banned by local authorities, in central in Ankara, Turkey June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan