World Bulletin / News Desk

At least 20 people, alleged to have attacked police during May 1 protests, have been taken into custody Wednesday in a broad anti-terror operation in Istanbul, security officials said.

Sources within the anti-terror branch directorate of the Istanbul police department said they had launched a helicopter-supported operation against suspected members of the Maoist Communist Party (MPK).

Members of the group are believed to have attacked police with stones, sticks and Molotov cocktails nearly a month ago.

About 800 policemen, including riot police forces and special operations teams, raided 30 addresses in Istanbul’s 10 districts.

Police sources said that they had confiscated two long-barreled rifles, one pistol and a large number of organizational documents.

A total of 203 illegal protesters were taken into custody in Istanbul during May Day demonstrations held on May 1, according to the province governor Vasip Sahin.