Several hundred anti-government protesters gathered in streets near Taksim square, seeking to commemorate the anniversary of protests that began in Gezi park.
However the protesters were blocked by approximatety 25.000 police officers deployed at Istanbul’s Taksim Square and the surrounding area.
According to local news reports, teargas was and water cannons were fired on demonstrators — and clashes with police followed.

Several hundred people gathered on streets leading to Taksim Square, shouting for the government’s resignation, when police fired teargas at the crowd, which quickly scattered.

As reported by an AFP journalist, clashes broke out in Istanbul where the police attacked the hundreds of protesters who had gathered at Istiklal Avenue, close to Taksim Square.

Police also used tear tear gas and water cannons in Ankara, the country’s capital, against people who had gathered in Kizilay Square to protest.

In an effort to prevent the protesters from reaching the location, the metro station at Taksim was also closed to travelers, as were boulevards that lead to the square.
Ferryboat services between Istanbul’s shores on either side of the Bosporus Strait were also cancelled on orders of the governor’s office, the city ferry line said on its website.

It should be noted that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to arrest protesters who planned to gather on Saturday in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, to commemorate the first anniversary of the anti-government revolt that took place there in 2013.

“You cannot occupy Taksim as you did last year because you have to respect the law,” said Erdogan during a speech in Istanbul in front of thousands of supporters. “If you go there, our security forces have been given clear instructions and will do whatever is necessary,” he added.