Turkish Police Detain 24 People During Protest In Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Turkish police detained 24 people, including 7 women in Istanbul on Tuesday as they attempted to make a press statement saying that reactions against desecration of Turkish flag were exaggerated.
The group, defining itself as the members of the ''People and Freedoms Front (HOC)'' gathered in front of Taksim Republican Monument to make this press statement.
Police surrounded the group and asked them to make the statement in front of the tramcar station on Istiklal Street.
As the group ignored this call, police detained 24 people, seven of whom were women.
During celebrations in southern city of Mersin to mark Nevruz on March 21st, a group of people shouted slogans in praise of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization of PKK, and attempted to burn the Turkish flag.