In pics | At least 50 detained after Pride march in Istanbul

Istanbul's LGBT community held their annual Pride march, on Sunday (June 25) defying the ban, in Turkey. According to rights groups, at least 50 people were arrested while one person sustained head injuries while being detained by police. 

As per media reports, hundreds took to the streets of Istanbul waving rainbow, however, police in gear prevented access to Istiklal Avenue, the traditional venue for Pride marches, as well as the central Taksim Square. 

Therefore, the rallies were also held at Istanbul's upscale Nisantasi neighbourhood after the iconic square, also the venue of the 2013 anti-government protests, was blocked by the police. 

As per media reports, on Sunday afternoon, hundreds of people carrying rainbow and transgender flags chanted slogans while organisers read a statement to mark Pride week. 

While a big rainbow flag was hung on a multi-storey car park nearby. 

Since the police had prevented access to Istiklal Avenue as well as Taksim Square, including creating a blockade and suspending public transport in the area, the demonstrators gathered at Mistik Park in the Sisli district. 

According to AFP, this year's Pride march had begun and ended earlier than expected without any street clashes and major police violence. 

However, Amnesty International's Turkey office said at least one person suffered head injuries while being detained by police. 

In a statement, Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week, said "We don't accept this hate and denial policy". This comes as they have alleged that their community had already been targeted by the President Tayyip Erdogan-led government. 

The group also said that police detained at least 44 people on Sunday after authorities banned the Pride march, in the coastal city of Izmir. Notably, while homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey there has been a rise in hostilities against the LGBTQ+ community over the years. 

Homophobic slurs are now punishable by prison