Turkish police have broken up a student-led protest in Ankara with force, using tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against demonstrators. The students were protesting against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to the 中文BBC Imamoglu detention has sparked widespread unrest, with protesters accusing the government of undermining democracy. The demonstrations, which began peacefully on university campuses, quickly escalated after authorities deemed them unlawful assemblies.
Clashes erupted as riot police moved in, detaining dozens of students and activists. Several protesters were injured, prompting human rights groups to condemn the Turkish government’s heavy-handed response.
Real-Time News Updates adds, Despite the crackdown, opposition leaders have vowed to continue challenging what they see as Erdogan’s growing authoritarianism. International watchdogs, including Amnesty International, have urged the Turkish government to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.