Radical Islamist group attacks Radiohead listening party in Istanbul

A group of men attacked a record store in Istanbul, Turkey where a Radiohead listening party was being held. The assailants beat attendees and the store owner for drinking alcohol during Ramadan.

Radiohead organised a global streaming on 17 June to support the release of their new album, A Moon Shaped Pool. Velvet IndieGround Records in the Turkish city, which organised a party for the same, was vandalised and guests and the owner beaten up with pipes because they were going against Islamic law by consuming alcohol during the holy month of Ramadan.

A video of the incident was captured and published on Periscope and YouTube, which shows fans enjoying the music when they are interrupted by shouting. One protester is spotted hitting people.

None of those at the event were seriously hurt but Consequence of Sound reported that one person was bleeding after he was hit with a glass bottle.

A person claiming to be the store's owner posted his account of the incident on reddit: "They were determined to kill us. We were beaten by more than 20 men with pipes in their hands, beer bottles were broken on our heads, I don't even know how we made it out. I will share the details later guys. Just hoping that none will die."

Learning of the attack, the British alternative rock band released a statement the same night. "Our hearts go out to those attacked tonight at Velvet IndieGround in Istanbul," the statement read. "We hope that someday we will be able to look back on such acts of violent intolerance as things of the ancient past. For now, we can only offer our fans in Istanbul our love and support."