Istanbul restricts activities on Istiklal Avenue due to security concerns

The governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya, announced Friday a series of restrictions for security reasons on Istiklal Avenue, the scene last November 13 of an attack that left at least six dead and 81 wounded and which the Turkish government has blamed on Kurdish groups, who have denied any responsibility.

In a statement on its website, the governor announced the suspension of “social, cultural or commercial events” on this road, one of the busiest in the capital.

Likewise, no hotel business or any other type of business will be allowed to place tables, chairs or signage obstructing the passage along the avenue’s one and a half kilometers.

The avenue has been empty for days of trees and benches to sit on, such as the one used by the alleged perpetrator of the attack to hide the bomb that ended up exploding in the busy street.