Statement on alcohol ban in outdoor locations in Turkey's Antalya sparks debate

The Antalya Police Department has sparked debate after issuing a statement on April 27 on a ban on alcohol consumption in outdoor locations on possibilities that drinking could cause "disturbance" to the surrounding. 

Following the controversial reports that drinking alcohol outdoors was banned across the Mediterranean resort province, officials told daily Hürriyet that a "perception mistake" was made regarding the announcement. 

Such consumption was not banned totally, but only when it was done in a way to "disturb the surrounding" so as to provide peaceful public places for residents, sources said. 

"There is no new place in Antalya where alcohol consumption is banned," Antalya Mayor Menderes Türel said. 

"Our relevant institutions will issue a statement again if needed," he said.

The mayor of Antalya's central Muratpaşa district, Ümit Uysal from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said the code should "be immediately regulated," emphasizing that "It was not right to ban alcohol consumption in picnic areas of tourism's capital."

"According to whom, according to which event are we going to interpret the expression 'disturbing?' This will frankly cause fractions in the society," Uysal said. 

According to the new directive, consumption of alcohol in parks, gardens, open spaces, highways, picnic areas, historical ruins and the interior of all vehicles will be prohibited. The directive also bans the consumption of alcohol in train stations, bus terminals, squares, avenues, streets, historical and cultural venues, places of worship, abandoned structures, construction zones, cemeteries, ATMs, promenades, stairwells, and underneath bridges.