01/05/2014 17:28
Turkey May Day protests hit by tear gas near Taksim Square
Riot police in Turkey have used tear gas and water cannon to prevent demonstrators defying a ban on protests on Istanbul's central Taksim Square, the BBC reported.
The Anatolia news agency said several demonstrators were injured and at least five detained.
Intensive security measures were in place, and roads and streets near Taksim Square closed to traffic from the early morning.
Turkish media said some 40,000 police would be deployed in the city on 1 May.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier warned people they should "give up hopes" of gathering on Taksim Square - a focus of anti-government protests.
But a joint statement from the main trades unions on Wednesday said: "We will be in Taksim despite the irrational and illegal ban. All roads will lead to Taksim on May Day.”