Clashes with the police during protests against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu occurred overnight in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. Police used tear gas and water cannons at some of the demonstrations, local opposition media reported.
Last night, for the second consecutive night, demonstrations were organized by supporters of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in many major cities in the country, the opposition newspaper "Cumhuriyet" reported.
A large part of the demonstrations are being led by students.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising in Turkey after the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul and about 100 other high-ranking CHP representatives this week. They were detained on charges of corruption and links to a terrorist organization.
Clashes between police and demonstrators broke out overnight on the grounds of the prestigious Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Police used tear gas and water cannons.
Students at the university staged a second night of protests.
A Haber television reported that a "group of aggressive demonstrators" had blocked a road with garbage containers and set them on fire. Despite calls from the police to disperse, the demonstrators continued "with their provocative actions and started throwing stones at the police", which forced the police to use tear gas and water cannons.
The incident broke out when a leading representative of the HDP arrived at the university.
A Haber reported that representatives of the party tried to discuss with the police methods to calm the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, another peaceful protest took place in the center of Ankara.
Supporters of the HDP gathered late last night in the area of “Kızılay“ Square. The demonstrators walked to the first Turkish parliament in the Ulus district.
Several thousand people gathered late last night in the park opposite the Istanbul City Hall. The rally was held despite the fact that the Istanbul governorate banned all mass gatherings and processions.
The rally was attended by the chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Özgür Özel and the mayor of Ankara Mansur Yavas. Many young people and students again participated in the demonstration.
Earlier, the TV channel of the leading opposition newspaper “Cumhuriyet“ broadcast footage of serious clashes between the demonstration and the police.
A number of other protests against Imamoglu's arrest were organized in the areas of several universities in the Turkish metropolis.
In Izmir, there were also clashes between police and demonstrators, with the police using water cannons against the protesters.