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Radiohead fans attacked at listening party in Istanbul

By Allen Cone

INSTANBUL, Turkey, June 18 (UPI) -- Radiohead fans at a listening party were attacked by about 20 men, apparently angry they were enjoying music and alcohol during Ramadan.

The incident occurred Friday night at the Velvet Indieground record store in the Istanbul district of Cihangir. At least one person was injured, with a photo of the photo of the bloodied man, purportedly from the attack, posted on Twitter.

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In video posted on YouTube, a man storms into the record store as employees and customers listen to Radiohead's new album, A Moon Shaped Pool. As most of the people in the store leave, a waiting mob then reportedly attacked the group and the store's door was smashed.

Velvet Indieground staff said the men were upset the store was playing music and handing out alcohol during the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims are expected to fast during the day.

Radiohead released a statement expressing sympathy for their fans.

"Our hearts go out to those attacked tonight at Velvet IndieGround in Istanbul," the statement released to Rolling Stone read. "We hope that someday we will be able to look back on such acts of violence as things of the ancient past. For now, we can only offer our fans in Istanbul our love and support."

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Several hundred independent record stores were celebrating the physical release of Radiohead's new album with a worldwide "Live From A Moon Shaped Pool" listening event. Velvet IndieGround was the only Turkish record shop to host the party.

In Instanbul, authorities have banned scheduled transgender and gay pride marches after an ultra-nationalist threatened harm if they took place.

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