Chaos on the streets of Turkey; Conflict between police and protesters: tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannon

Early this morning, students gathered to read a statement in front of the gates of the Technical University, opposition media and local sources reported. The security forces reacted by using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets.

A standoff ensued, with the students hiding behind a barricade of garbage containers, but the police eventually took them into custody. Member of Parliament from the Republican People's Party (CHP), Melih Meric, was seen completely wet from the use of a water cannon and hit by tear gas.

"My student friends just wanted to make a statement to the media, but the police didn't let them, this is the result," Meric said in videos posted on social media. Officials have not yet announced how many people have been detained.

CHP leader Özgür Özel, to which Imamoglu also belongs, promised that MPs would stand by the protesters in order to reduce tensions. Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya said yesterday that 1,418 people were detained for protesting last week.

Demonstrations swept across major cities, with hundreds of thousands of people taking part in CHP protests and rallies outside Istanbul's city hall. Other large protests were held in the districts of Kadıköy and Şişli, where a government commissioner was appointed after the arrest of the mayor last week. Protests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, as thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets and residents cheered them on from their apartments and balconies, clapping and banging pots and pans.

Erdogan accused the opposition of "destroying the economy" and said those responsible for endangering financial stability "will be held accountable." The opposition called for a boycott of companies that allegedly support Erdogan's government. Meanwhile, Imamoglu, who spoke via social media from prison, condemned police violence against protesters.

"I cannot call them the police because my honorable police would not shown cruelty to the young people of this nation," he said. Turkey will not have elections until 2028, but it is possible that Erdogan will call early elections in order to win another mandate. Imamoglu has been confirmed as the CHP candidate and has performed well in recent polls against Erdogan.

The protests began last week after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges that many consider politically motivated, and he is also charged with supporting terrorism.