With punches and tear gas, Turkish police disperse students near presidential palace

ANKARA

Police have cracked down on a protest near Turkey's controversial presidential palace, with one officer filmed while punching a student.

Dozens of students gathered in Ankara to march to the new presidential palace for a protest against the tuition system on Nov. 29. In coordination with the march, another group of 200 students convened in front of the headquarters of Turkey's Higher Education Board (YÖK). 

Police intervened when the first group approached as close as 100 meters to the palace, while a policeman was filmed as he punched a student whom he tried to detain.

In the Doğan News Agency footage, the protester is seen asking the police "Why do you hit me?"



In front of the YÖK headquarters, on the other hand, police fired tear gas and used water cannons during the confrontation after the press statement of the students.

A total 22 students were detained during the protests.