• Turkish police detained anti-NATO protestors in Ankara who defied security measures and a protest ban during the alliance's summit.
• Hundreds of individuals, including journalists and academics, have been detained across Turkey in the lead-up to the NATO summit, with tight security measures in place involving over 56,000 security personnel.
• Security has been heightened in Ankara with streets around the summit venue cordoned off, vehicle checks conducted, and an expanded security perimeter maintained around NATO venues.

Turkish police detained some participants of an anti-NATO demonstration in central Ankara on Tuesday morning, after they defied strict security measures and a blanket ban on protests during the alliance's summit, local media reported.

Police officers were seen handcuffing and dragging protestors on to a police bus near Ankara's Kurtulus Park, some seven kilometres from the summit venue, in footage from opposition daily Cumhuriyet posted on the X platform.

"NATO get out, this land belongs to us," some protestors were heard chanting in Turkish.

The small group, including opposition lawmakers, attempted to march carrying banners. Police blocked the march before detaining some demonstrators, the footage showed.

In a statement to journalists in Ankara, lawmakers from the Workers Party of Turkey (TİP) and the Labour Party (EMEP) demanded the release of all those who had participated in the anti-NATO protests.

The latest detentions came in addition to the hundreds detained across Turkey in the lead-up to the NATO summit taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. They include journalists, academics and members of left-wing groups.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the importance of the right to demonstrate ahead of the summit, when pressed by a journalist on Turkey's restrictive measures.

Tight security measures for NATO summit

Streets around the summit venue, Turkey's presidential palace, were cordoned off and closed to traffic on Tuesday, with a heavy police presence in the area.

Tight security measures were in place across the capital, involving more than 56,000 security personnel, state broadcaster TRT and local media reported.

Security was also tightened on routes to and from Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Police were conducting vehicle checks on main delegation routes, the private Demirören news agency reported.

No commercial flights are scheduled to arrive or depart at the airport until Tuesday evening, according to its website.

Deployed police units across the capital include counter-terrorism, intelligence, riot police and special operations officers. Checkpoints have been set up where vehicles are searched, while drivers and passengers undergo identity checks, according to broadcaster Halk TV and other local media.

Authorities said inspections and road controls would continue throughout the summit as security forces maintain an expanded security perimeter around NATO venues.