Images of a smartly dressed woman being sprayed with teargas by a riot policeman during protests in Istanbul's Taksim Square have been shared on social media around the world

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Istanbul's police chief had said his forces would only use teargas as a last resort. But the images seem to show the officer targeting an unarmed woman.

A Turkish policeman uses tear gas on a woman protesting in Gezi Park, Istanbul Photograph: Osman Orsal/Reuters



The woman's hair is blown upwards as she turns away from the officer.

A Turkish riot policeman uses tear gas against the woman. Photograph: Osman Orsal/REUTERS



The officer closes in on the woman.

The riot police officer closes in on the woman. Photograph: Osman Orsal/REUTERS

The officer continues to use teargas as the woman turns away.

All photographs: Osman Orsal/REUTERS

The woman covers her mouth as the officer goes on to spray the crowds of demonstrators behind her.

The images have been widely shared on social media and have spawned cartoons and graffiti across the country and beyond.