In the center of Istanbul police clashed with Kurdish demonstrators who pelted police with stones and firebombs.  The police used tear gas and water cannons, Radio Liberty reported. The clashes injured 10 people, including two policemen. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested.
"In the Gazi district of Istanbul, mostly populated by Kurdish migrants from the south-east Turkey, the rioters destroyed several shops and tried to attack a police station. Women and children participated in the actions, " a police spokesman said.

The wave of demonstrations has increased after thirty Kurdish politicians had been arrested, including governors of several provinces, who allegedly had links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party. According to Turkish media, in clashes with police in southeastern Turkey three rioters were killed.