Police detain 26 at Istanbul University, confiscate batons and machete

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

A number of alleged members of an Islamist youth organization were also detained on Oct. 10 after trying to enter the campus of Istanbul University with batons. DHA Photo

Police detained 26 people and confiscated several batons and a machete at Istanbul University Oct. 13 after receiving a tip that a fresh altercation may occur between members of an Islamist youth organization and students who staged demonstrations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at the school.

The university witnessed an altercation after a group of individuals allegedly from the radical Islamist faction Muslim Youth attacked students who set up a stand to denounce atrocities committed by ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Police said the batons and the machete could have been used during the fight. Five students were injured during the altercation and an ensuing police response on Oct. 9.

Security forces were accused of not attempting to stop the suspected members of the Muslim Youth, who appeared wearing black masks to hide their identity.