The police in Ankara intervened with tear gas and armed combat cars against a group of about 500 students who were trying to walk from the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) to the Headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Students from several groups and organizations had planned the walk in the capital and prepared banners reading "We are revolting". They were stopped by the riot forces police at the campus gate. As a response to the police intervention, the students started to throw stones. Some journalists were also affected.
The demonstration was attended by students from ODTÜ, Hacettepe University and Ankara University along with academics and university staff.
According to information conveyed to bianet by students who were involved in the incident, the police did not take anybody into custody. Some students were slightly injured.
The aim of the protest was to form a strong answer against the government's attack on universities. The students wanted to make their demands heard but they apparently were refused permission for the 4-km walk.
Republican People's Party (CHP) member Çetin Soysal was also protested by the students when he came to campus subsequent to the police intervention. (EÜ/EÖ/VK)
